I want to open a window to what is happening in Arab-Palestinian society in the State of Israel:
As at the end of every year, in preparation for Christian Christmas and New Year's Day, there are many events, performances and celebrations for the Arab and Christian public.
But in the shadow of the war, all the Arab local authorities, with the support of all the heads of the Christian communities in the country, decided to cancel the Christmas celebrations and street celebrations and performances.
Some of these events have been planned for at least six months, and some are private rather than public performances – meaning that funding comes from private producers, and the event takes place in closed halls, and includes performances by well-known local singers.
There are events where stand-up comedians were planned to perform and include a prestigious dinner, as well as competitions and prize distributions. These celebrations usually take place in Arab localities in Israel, and in some cities in the Palestinian Authority, and last until dawn on the first day of the new year
As every year, this time too, the publicity increased ahead of schedule, but as the war continued, calls began to be heard to cancel the performances and all the festivities in Arab society, as a sign of solidarity with the victims of the war, mainly because of what happened in the Gaza Strip, especially the killing of children and innocents, and the horrific scenes broadcast day and night on television channels and social networks.
The calls came from Arab social activists, who appeared to have gone too far in their demands, issued calls and demands with the names of Israeli Arab singers who would be holding festive events, and demanded, in the name of solidarity with Gaza, to cancel. Many of the artists, fearing online shaming, announced the cancellation, others tried to explain why they had to continue, but immediately became the target of harsh criticism, being described as insensitive, irresponsible and devoid of any feeling towards their Gazan compatriots.
There are events where stand-up comedians were planned to perform and include a prestigious dinner, as well as competitions and prize distributions. These celebrations usually take place in Arab localities in Israel, and in some cities in the Palestinian Authority, and last until dawn on the first day of the new year
It is unnecessary to say too much about the period that we are all going through, without exception. The war raging in the south, the threat to the north and the difficulty of leading a normative life. But on the other hand, it is hard to ignore the fact that there are people who actually need the performances and festive events in order to cope with the difficulties that have become part of the routine. Having a performance does not obligate those who do not want to see and rejoice, why deny others this option? True, entire families in Israel, Jewish and Arab, are coping with loss and bereavement, and the lives of many have been turned upside down. But should life be stopped? It is precisely events in closed places, not in the heart of the communities and not in the heart of the cities, that can help to get some air from the routine of war and difficulty, especially since the compulsion to cancel is not the way, and certainly not patriotism.
People have the right to do what is right for them as long as they do not endanger their environment. We live in a democratic society, consideration of the environment and the general atmosphere is important, but not all people should be forced to conduct themselves as one person and of one opinion, to hold celebrations, and not to force their cancellation at home or to take place in the town square.
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