"Don't submit" is the title of a protest that you may not have heard enough about, but it concerns our money, our big screen and the good name of Israel in the world.
Dozens of reputable Israeli filmmakers call on their friends not to submit funding applications to the Rabinowitz Fund, one of the most significant funding funds in Israel in the field of cinema.
What was the foam on?
Regarding the fact that in the process of submitting the application to the fund, one must also sign that the creator, who receives state funding, will not violate its laws: his creation will not negate the existence of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, will not incite racism or terrorism, will not present the day of the establishment of the state as a day of mourning, and more .
The required condition was set by the Rabinovitz Foundation for creators already five years ago, during the tenure of the Minister of Culture at the time, Miri Regev.
But now, the filmmakers - some of whom also recently benefited from the funds of the fund - have announced that they are not ready to sign a "commitment not to violate the laws of the state".
Yes, you read that right.
They request funding, but without committing that they will comply with Israeli law.
Do you know people who want to win a tender to build a shopping mall, operate a Tsharon or produce an event, but refuse to commit that they will not break the law?
Apparently only filmmakers are allowed.
The protestors explain that they "believe in civil rights and freedom of expression for all sectors and different opinions in society."
These principles are certainly important and worthy of consideration, but don't the fund or the state allow them?
Do these conditions infringe on the freedom of the script or the casting of the actors?
No.
The condition means that a creator who wants to receive money from the citizens of the country for a certain film project, cannot use it to harm the country.
He cannot give a platform to terrorists who seek to murder its citizens.
as simple as that.
Those who nevertheless want to make a film that does not meet the funding rules, can raise private or foreign funds.
It is true, it is difficult, the costs of producing a film are very high, but the most basic right of the citizens is that their money will not be used for propaganda against them - certainly not while there are fierce battles going on for Israel's image in the world.
But the discussion does not end here.
Because this protest does claim to deal with the freedom of culture and creativity, but this is not its real purpose.
In practice - this is a political hand-wringing battle.
"We are in a new reality - there is a new regime that is determined, and also able this time, to promote a fundamental violation of critical areas of human rights, justice, freedom of speech and creation and Israeli culture," the filmmakers write in their protest.
There is a new government in Israel (which is nicknamed the "regime"), which God forbid may require more funds not to break the law.
The parties favored by the filmmakers were not successful at the polls, the public preferred a different coalition, so now they are trying to impose their opinion in a different way.
Does that sound familiar to you?
And that's not all.
Many of the signatories of the new petition, which talks about creative freedom and pluralism, were among the signatories of the petition to boycott the Yosh Cinema Fund five months ago. Then they wrote: "There is no meaning in talking about pluralism, when in practice they cover up systematic violence and serious harm in human rights.
The Shomron Fund is not a pluralist fund - it is part of the apartheid mechanism." In other words - the fund whose goal is to give space to creators from the Jewish Community and the special essence of life in this region of the country should be confiscated, because the fund and its creators do not hold the right views.
What happened to freedom of expression, pluralism, creativity?
They probably have limits - but the filmmakers are the ones who will draw them.
So this is the opportunity to say to young and new creators: submit, submit.
Finally, the old creators cleared the place a bit, and maybe you will win a decent support budget.
The people of Israel will be happy for the films you produce, quality films, the kind that will provide them with an enjoyable experience that will not give them a bad name along the way.
were we wrong
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