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Sunday, March 15, 2026
Academy Awards beefs up security amid reported Iranian drone threat to Los Angeles
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
The Academy Award organizers are beefing up security for the Oscars in the wake of a reported FBI memo alerting Los Angeles authorities of a potential surprise attack by Iran using drones against unspecified targets in California, Variety says.
The 98th Academy Awards will be held tonight at the Dolby Theatre.
California Governor Gavin Newsom posted on X last week that he’s “in constant coordination with security and intelligence officials” and not aware of any imminent threats.
The 98th Academy Awards will nevertheless be acting out of an abundance of caution, reports Variety.
During a press conference last week about the upcoming awards ceremony, executive producer Raj Kapoor said that the academy collaborates closely with the FBI and the LAPD.
Two Israeli filmmakers are nominated for this year’s Oscars, documentary filmmaker Hilla Medalia for her Best Documentary Short, “Children No More: “Were and are Gone,” and Meyer Levinson-Blount for Best Live Action Short Film with his film, “Butcher’s Stain.”
Palestinian docudrama “The Voice of Hind Rajab” is nominated for Best International Feature Film.
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