More than 150 Israeli filmmakers, including Ari Pullman, Nadav Lapid, Shira Gefen, Barak Hyman, Eran Kolirin, Amos Gitai, and Hagi Levy, signed a public letter published today (Wednesday), according to which they refuse to cooperate with the Shomron Cinema Fund. Claiming that this is "part of the apartheid mechanism".
In the letter, the signatories called on the heads of the Israeli Film Academy to refuse to hold the Ophir Awards ceremony in Samaria in the future, should such an initiative arise.
"In July, as part of the Samaria Film Festival, there was a call to bring the Ophir Awards ceremony to the occupied territories in the West Bank," it said.
"The festival was supported and attended by the Minister of Culture Hili Troper, the heads of the Film Council, the heads of the Rabinovitz Film Fund, the distributor Moshe Edri and the screenwriters' union. But behind this festival, as well as behind the establishment of the 'Shomron Cinema Foundation', is not the love of culture but politics, which aims to erase the line the green and the distinction between a military and civilian regime."
He also signed the letter.
Nadav Lapid, in 2019, photo: Yossi Zeliger
It is also written that "therefore, it is not surprising that at the head of this political foundation are Esther Elosh, the spokesperson of the Samaria Regional Council, and Yossi Dagan, the chairman of the Samaria Regional Council.
The foundation and the festival invite Israeli creators to take an active part in whitewashing the occupation in exchange for financial support and prizes.
The establishment of the Shomron Foundation was accompanied by statements regarding the diversity of Israeli art and giving expression to marginalized voices.
This is a worthy goal, but there is no meaning to talk about diversity, when in practice they cover up systematic violence and serious violations of human rights.
The Shomron Fund is not a pluralist fund - it is part of the apartheid mechanism.
Filmmakers have a responsibility for the image of the society in which they live.
In the ongoing reality of occupation and a creeping process of annexation, we must draw a red line.
We, the undersigned, hereby declare that we will not cooperate with the Shomron Fund - neither now nor in the future.
Not in greenhouses, not in lecture and not in filmmaking.
We will not agree to holding an Ophir awards ceremony in an area subject to a military regime.
In response to the letter, Dagan, who serves as chairman of the Shumron Cinema Fund, attacked the decision - saying that those who sign it "will not shut up half a million citizens of the State of Israel and political attachment to the fund's activities will not succeed." According to him, "There are some people on the extreme left who mistakenly think that Gore In certain areas that do not suit their spirit, or hold different political views from them, it is an offense against the law.
I will tell them - half a million Israeli citizens in Judea and Samaria breathe air, live, love, travel and also make films.
The Cinema Fund is part of an initiative by the State of Israel to establish regional funds, just like the regional funds in the Negev, the Arava and the Galilee, and this is how it will continue."
Dagan also said: "This letter is tainted with political racism and a blatant attempt to harm the freedom of expression and creativity of about half a million citizens in the State of Israel. The fund, which has supported more than 70 films to date, will continue to work professionally and seriously for the creators and cinematic creation in Israel and in Judea and Samaria. The establishment of the regional funds, including a fund Samaria is an opportunity to give a platform to talented young people in the periphery from all shades of Israeli society who have not had the opportunity to date."
"Filmmakers have responsibility for the image of the society they live in."
Eran Kolirin, last year, photo: Gideon Markovich
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