A New Dilemma for Netanyahu; Protests from the Israeli Artistic Community

Recent attacks by the Israeli government's ministers of education and culture against the country's theater and music artists have turned into a new arena of confrontation between the Jewish and Arab artistic communities and the government. One of the most right-wing governments among the four cabinets formed by Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened some theaters and singers with cuts to state financial support. Since the beginning of this government last month, it was clear that most of the artistic community was not pleased with it, but the situation escalated into a full-blown rebellion by artists starting Sunday, June 14, against the ministers of this government. Before the annual Jerusalem Arts Festival had even begun, Shalom Hanoch, one of Israel's famous and veteran singers, announced that if Minister of Culture Miri Regev wanted to make a political speech at the festival's opening, he would create a 'fuss.' Hanoch stated that he would give her the 'necessary response' after her speech. On the night of the event, Mr. Hanoch refrained from confronting his culture minister, which Israeli media attributed to his 'gentlemanly' behavior to respect those who had purchased expensive tickets for the opening. However, when this veteran and rebellious singer invited the audience to 'whistle' along with one of his songs, Israeli media suggested that his intent might have been to express civil protest against the minister. The minister claimed she greatly admired this artist, but when Ms. Regev stated that she supported 'pluralism,' there was a significant uproar among the audience, and the ceremony moved away from the joy of an opening. In recent days, Ms. Regev has also harshly criticized an Arab theater in the Jaffa area of Tel Aviv, and following her, Naftali Bennett, the Minister of Education, supported the proposal to cut government funding for this theater. Norman Issa, the head of the Arab theater in Jaffa, a Christian Arab citizen of Israel who is also married to a Jew, stated he is unwilling to take theatrical performances to areas considered 'beyond the Green Line,' referring to the Jewish settlements built in the occupied West Bank. However, Regev and Bennett have also taken a stance against a play titled 'Parallel Time' performed by the Arab theater group 'Al-Midan' in the northern city of Haifa, which revolves around the thoughts and fate of a Palestinian fighter. The life of Walid Daqa, a Palestinian fighter who planned to kidnap and kill an Israeli soldier in 1984 and ultimately kidnapped and killed a soldier named Moshe, resulting in a life sentence, is depicted in this play. The Minister of Education welcomed the cutting of government financial support for this Haifa theater, stating that taxpayers' money should not be spent on a theater that turns a terrorist into a legend. Miri Regev was previously a spokesperson for the Israeli army, and according to one Israeli artist, it is not surprising that this individual wants to put a 'sharp knife' around the necks of the Arab theaters of Israeli citizens. Naftali Bennett, the Minister of Education, is also the leader of the right-wing 'Jewish Home' party, which supports settlements and has many anti-Palestinian views; when Bennett first took over the Ministry of Education and visited Arab towns in Israel, local Arab education officials protested against him. However, according to Israel Radio, immediately after the threat to cut government financial support to some theaters in the country, Reuven Rivlin, the President of Israel, attended the Southern Israel Theater Festival, where most of the performances have a politically critical tone. Ms. Regev also attended the opening ceremony of this theater festival in southern Israel, but her speeches were repeatedly interrupted by the audience, who loudly protested against her. When Ms. Regev justified her decision to cut financial support for artists who do not share her views and those of 'the majority of voters in Israeli society,' the event turned into a loud dispute accompanied by whistling and booing. According to Haaretz, in recent days, Ms. Regev told a group of protesting artists, 'The left has taken over the cultural scene in this country, but the leftists should not forget that public opinion voted for the Likud party, and we have thirty seats, while the party you supported is in the minority.' The Israeli Artists Union has also called on everyone to participate more in supporting theater groups and artists who are at odds with the government and to raise their voices in protest. The Israeli Artists Union has also held meetings to determine strategies to confront the government. Oded Kotler, a prominent figure in Israeli arts, strongly attacked Ms. Regev in a meeting; these attacks have become the top news in Israel on the following Sunday and Monday. Uri Rashtik, the director-general of 'Shakham,' the union of actors and stage artists in Israel, told Haaretz that the ministers of this government have 'overstepped their bounds.' Nechama Shai, a Knesset representative from the opposition 'Zionist Camp,' also stated that the Netanyahu government acts 'anti-culturally.' Ms. Zahava Gal-On, the leader of the leftist Meretz party, also wrote on her Facebook that the government suppresses artistic creativity with 'fascist' actions because it is 'afraid.' The cutting of government support budgets does not mean banning the work of theaters or closing their centers; rather, this government tells these artists that if they want to benefit from our financial support, they should not perform shows that are against the 'national interests' (from the perspective of the ruling Likud party) of the country.