Israeli film pulled from Iraqi festival competition

A film festival in Iraqi Kurdistan has removed an Israel picture from its official competition, prompting the jury to protest by refusing to present a top award.

Israeli director Yona Rozenkier's "The Dive", which portrays three brothers carrying their father's last wish, was screened this month at the Duhok International Film Festival in Northern Iraq.

But festival organizers said Saturday they had "unwillingly" withdrawn the film from the world cinema competition, "due to regional complications and considerations".

The move to the jury for the best international feature film, saying in an online statement the change to the selection "compromised our ability to make a final decision".

Jury president Kristian Feigelson said in a separate statement that the film was withdrawn from the "political pressure of the official baghdad".

Goal Iraq's culture ministry denied interfering in the festival.

"We have not been contacted by the organizers of the festival and told us about this event," a ministry spokesman told AFP.

Like all but two Arab states, Iraq does not recognize the state of Israel and the world is technically still at war.

Last year to form Miss Iraq caused a scandal by taking a picture with Miss Israel.

But Israel has far better relations with Iraqi Kurdistan and last year, which was branded illegal by Baghdad.