Bereaved families called on the Minister of Culture to cancel the nomination of the documentary about the lawyer, who represented many terrorists, for the Ophir Prize • "This is an unparalleled shame"
106 bereaved families today (Wednesday) appealed to the Minister of Culture and Sports, Hili Trooper, to disqualify the nomination of the film "Leah Tzemel, Lawyer" in the category of best documentary at the Ophir Awards ceremony.
Bereaved parents protest against Mifal Hapayis, which awarded a prize to the film, last year // Photo: If you will
According to budget data from the Ministry of Culture and Sports, during the years 2019-2015, the ministry transferred at least NIS 3.1 million to the Israeli Academy of Film and Television, which is responsible for the Ophir Awards ceremony - the Israeli equivalent of the American Oscar.
"Leah Tzemel is a lawyer who has represented many terrorists in the military courts and tribunals," the families wrote to the minister.
"Among other things, she represented the terrorists who carried out the lynching in Ramallah in 2000. This is not an ordinary lawyer, but the devil's advocate who does not resort to any means to represent those who murdered our loved ones."
The family members also wondered whether the lawyer really deserved the award: "Are you, as an educator for the love of the people and the country, ready to sign, as the Minister of Culture of the State of Israel, that the same Satanic attorney will be honored at the expense of thousands of bereaved families? Is our husband, our wives and our loved ones the beggar? "
They also wrote that "the blood of thousands of terror victims is screaming from the ground and it is fitting that whoever protects those human animals, will not directly or indirectly receive any respect, small or large."
At the end of the letter, the families called on Trooper to do everything in his power to disqualify the film's nominees.
"This is an unparalleled shame, and we will not keep quiet until you stop this disgrace."
Herzl and Meirav Hajaj, parents of Lt. Shir, who was killed in a car bomb attack at the Commissioner's Palace in Jerusalem in 2017, drafted the letter together with Deborah Gonen, Danny's mother who was killed in a spring near Dolev in 2015, saying they "expect "To set a clear red line for the national award committees, and especially for the Ophir Award. Anyone who supports terrorism and terrorists who want Israelis will not be able to be a candidate or receive an award or public budgets at the expense of our children's blood. Shame and disgrace."
The "If You Will" movement, which accompanies the "Voters in Life" forum of bereaved families, commented on the film's candidacy: "In sin and in the funding of government ministries, and the possibility of him winning the prestigious state-sponsored award is adding sin to crime. When the taxpayer is an active participant in funding this disgrace, it is a real absurdity."
After the film won the Dokaviv Festival last year, with a prize worth NIS 70, the win provoked protest among many bereaved families, who called for its winning to be disqualified.
Miri Regev, who then served as culture minister, said in response to the win that it was "an outrageous and annoying choice. I am sorry that such a film receives support from state funds."
The filmmakers declined to comment for this article.
