Paramount rejects Israeli film boycott supported by Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix and nearly 4,000 others

Paramount rejected the widespread boycott of Israeli film institutions on Thursday as the list grew by thousands of signatures over the past week, reaching a total of nearly 4,000.

"We do not agree with recent efforts to boycott Israeli filmmakers. Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace," the statement continued. "The global entertainment industry should be encouraging artists to tell their stories and share their ideas with audiences throughout the world. We need more engagement and communication — not less."