This year's Academy Awards have set off even more controversy after the contents of nominees' "goodie bags" were revealed last week.
The $200,000 gift bag includes everything from a lifetime supply of beauty products to Audi car rentals and vaporizers, according to The Independent . However, the most expensive item in the bag is what angered people the most. Valued at $55,000, a 10-day first-class trip to Israel will be gifted to every nominee in attendance, as well as the presenters.
According to Haaretz, Israel’s Tourism Minister Yariv Levin said that the gift would provide nominees a chance to "experience the country first hand and not through the media." Haaretz also reported that if all those who are offered the trip decide to go, it will cost the Israeli government $1.5 million.
Palestinian human rights activists are asking nominees to reject the gift. Omar Barghouti, from the Palestinian BDS National Committee, said "Israel is desperately trying to fight its increasing international isolation through bribes and intimidation rather than by ending its occupation and apartheid," according to the BDS movement's website .
Many celebrities, including actress Jada Pinkett Smith and director Spike Lee among others, are boycotting the awards, according to Vanity Fair . Their decision came after the Academy released this year's nominations, revealing that all 20 contenders in the acting categories were white for the second year in a row.
People took to Twitter to voice their anger and disappointment with the Academy's choice to stand behind the Israeli state and to point out the desperation in Israel's plan to offer the free trip.