(Image source from: Mira Nair refuses to honor Israel Film Festival})

Noted Indian film director and activist Mira Nair has declined  invitation to attend the forthcoming Haifa International Film Festival as a guest of honor. Nair has turned down the offer to protest Israel's 'apartheid' policy.

"I will not be going to Israel at this time. I will go to Israel when the walls come down. I will go to Israel when occupation is gone," Nair tweeted.

"I will go to Israel when the state does not privilege one religion over another. I will go to Israel when Apartheid is over," the 55-year-old director  added.

In he tweet, she extended her full support to 'Palestine for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) & the larger Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Mov't.'

The 29th annual Haifa International Film Festival is all set to be hosted in the months of September.

A wad of artists and academics have called off their plans to visit to Israel amidst the latest developments in the country in the recent time.

Renowned physicist Professor Stephen Hawking recently pulled out of an appearance at the President's Conference in June in support of the academic boycott of Israel.

AW: Suchorita Dutta