53 theater figures vow not to perform in settlements
In a petition, the performers said they would not perform in Ariel or any other settlement.
By Chaim LevinsonFifty-three Israeli theater professionals, including performers, playwrights and directors, have signed a petition stating they would not appear in the West Bank settlement Ariel.
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Cultural center in the West Bank settlement of Ariel |
| Photo by: David Bachar |
The issue surfaced following a report last week in Haaretz that several of Israel's leading theater companies, including the Habima National Theater, the Cameri Theater, the Be'er Sheva Theater and Jerusalem's Khan Theater, were planning to perform at the new cultural center in Ariel.
Culture and Sport Minister Limor Livnat said Saturday that the actors' protest was a serious matter, and was causing a rift in Israeli society. She called upon the theater managements to address the problem immediately.
"Culture is a bridge in society, and political disputes should be left outside cultural life and art," she said. "I call for the scheduled performances to be carried out as scheduled in Ariel and all over the country, as each citizen has the right to consume culture anywhere he chooses."
In the petition, the performers said they would not perform in Ariel or any other West Bank settlement and called on Israeli theater managers to limit their activity to within the Green Line.
Signatories include prominent members of the Israeli theater community, including Yehoshua Sobol, Yossi Pollak, Yousef Sweid, Anat Gov and Savyon Liebrecht.
The Habima, Cameri, Beit Lessin and Be'er Sheva theaters issued a collective response Saturday, stating: "The management of the repertory theaters will perform anywhere there are Israeli citizens who are lovers of Israeli theater, including the new culture center in Ariel. We will respect the political opinions of our actors. However, we will bring the best of Israeli theater to Ariel."
Signatory Shir Idelson, who is performing in productions at the Haifa Theater, told Haaretz: "I decided that I cannot go to peace demonstrations, and I am not involved in this on a day-to-day basis. I signed [the petition] personally and represent myself."
She added: "I grew up on the myth that culture could get things moving, and I'm sorry that it turned out that that's not how things are."
Idelson said she was moved that actors got up and took a stand.
"I won't perform [in settlements] even if it costs me my job," she said.
Veteran Israeli actress and Israel Prize winner Gila Almagor did not sign the petition, but said she would oppose performing in Ariel.
"I always opposed the occupation, and opposed appearing in areas beyond the Green Line. I won't go to places that are contrary to my worldview. But at the same time, I am an actress with the Habima National Theater. If the theater says 'you are required to perform,' then I have a contract with the theater and I will go and perform under protest."
With regard to her theater colleagues, she said: "We actors have discussed [this] among ourselves for several days. Behind every name [on the petition], there is a worldview and this needs to be respected. I wouldn't ask a religious actor to act on Shabbat. The theater needs to be considerate. Because everyone has an understudy, we have to speak with the management of the theaters to excuse actors who don't want [to participate]."
The Yesha Council of settlements issued a statement saying: "Our response to the letter signed by the army evaders and anti-Zionist left-wing activists will be very harsh," and called upon the theater managements to act decisively.
Ariel Mayor Ron Nachman told Haaretz Saturday: "I received a phone call from a donor in America who got so angry that he told me he had to do something on the matter. The problem is already not my problem. The problem belongs to the Israeli government and the Culture Ministry. Yehoshua Sobol can't say, 'I receive a salary from the state, but I have my conscience and do what I want.' You can't enjoy the benefits of both."
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Minister Livnat, how can you lie to us and say, “…in Ariel and all over the country?” Ariel has never been annexed to be a part of the State of Israel. It's like the great proportion of the occupied West Bank--OCCUPIED. When it is officially annexed, perhaps when the framework of the Geneva Initiative is adopted by the governments, it is to become part of the State of Israel, not just the Land of Israel. The dichotomy that plagues the Palestinians in the West Bank, will finally become a part of everyday life for Israeli citizens living beyond our recognized borders. I don’t want them to suffer, just as I don’t want the Palestinians in the Territories to suffer. Why are there 2 sets of laws and 2 sets of implementation throughout the Territory? There’s a name for that which we don’t like to use cause it was used in some of the worst regimes in history. Limor, it’s time to tell Bibi, “Go for it! Take Geneva and run with it. Abu Mazen approved Palestinian participation in the process. Now, we can wrap our arms around Jews in population centers in the West Bank by annexing their cities with the approval of the Palestinians! What are we waiting for?” Go to http://www.geneva-accord.org/ and read the Final Status Agreement. You’ll see that it’s in our best interests.
Those boycotting should be sacked from their jobs. Their salaries are being paid for by the subsidies that the theaters were they work receive. Its a shame that culture is being taken prisoner by Leftist politics.
The sports complex there is named after Pastor John Hagee, an America fundamentalist who believed that the 6 million Jews who died in EU were part of gods plan to get the Jewish people to return to Palestine. He funded the damn thing and they took his money with nary a word about his religious beliefs. The whole thing should be boycotted.
Force them to perform at gunpoint?
This bunch of nobodies are more than welcome to boycot the event if it takes place at Ariel just as long as they understand they can't have their state funded salaryl. They are also only 53 individuals there are also plenty of people who will perform so if this bunch don't turn up nobody will notice or care. Personally I hope they don't go because if they loose their state salary as a result it saves taxpayers like me money and there plenty of better causes to give this money to than a bunch of washout actors.
A new NGO is needed to bring culture to those deprived of it for political reasons.
I sleep at the lefiecactor type who think that high speech is a substitute for strong resolve. Israel was robbed of her birthright by actions of Greeks and Romans and Islamic extremism. It would be more appropriate to address these injustices than boycott your fellow Jews. Et tu Brute?
Hi "r" (come out of the closet), Wouldn't you have wanted some "good citizens" to speak out in 1938 in France or Greece? Wouldn't you expect good citizens to stand up for universal truths and justice for all humans? Did it matter that we were considered the problem? Of course artists are the vanguard of society who are expected to speak out, even at the expense of their image. Should "good citizens" refuse to obey illegal orders? Or is that only reserved for right wingers? Hmmm, such leftist refusniks are always labelled traitors. And right winger refusniks? Why is it only the country of the right? Who said that high speech isn't coupled with strong resolve? Many of us who believe that the Occupation corrupts, believe it strongly. The Occupation has done worse than boycott YOUR fellow Jews; it's killed and maimed many who thought they were serving their country in pride, but they didn't understand that they were dying or being wounded for this government or that. It's time to end the conflict; accept that "They" are not leaving, nor are "We." Read the Geneva Initiative and see that we (and our leaders) can end the conflict honorably, with security and peace. It can be done this year. Not for Obama, not for Livnat, but for our grandchildren and those that follow. Tell Bibi to go to Wash. and be brave in Peace, as he wants to be brave in war.
"Culture is a bridge in society, and political disputes should be left outside cultural life and art," says Limor Livnat . This only shows that the minister knows little about theatre. Drama has traditionally held a mirror to its society and presented the weaknesses, defects, vices and absurdity of it in order to provoke awareness and reflection. This is what makes Shakespeare, Molière or Ibsen so interesting. Only in dictatorships do authors and actors strictly abide by the ideology of their governments, but this is not true art. True are is protest art. Any healthy society can bear this, only a sick society will not.. Muzzling authors and actors is not going to help you to recover.
Do you mean to say that if one accepts subsidies from the state, one should automatically become a tool for state propaganda and welcome censorship as well? What a great culture that will make!
The Progressive Actors of Israel should wow to stop using TP and switch to ecologically friendly and pro-pal use of the Left Hand .
Israel has alot of theatre people and artists so if 53 people refuse to work in Ariel who cares the rest of them are willing to preform there. Maybe they can preform in Gaza at the big new shopping mall.
Never, morons. If you want to legitimize Palestinian rights to certain towns, why are you then Deligitimizing Jewish rights in Jewish towns? Isn't that discriminatory?
Melanie, it has never been annexed to be a part of the State of Israel either. It's like the great proportion of the occupied West Bank--OCCUPIED. When it is officially annexed, perhaps when the framework of the Geneva Initiative is adopted by the governments, it is to become part of the State of Israel, not just the Land of Israel. The dichotomy that plagues the Palestinians in the West Bank, will finally become a part of everyday life for Israeli citizens living beyond our recognized borders. I don’t want them to suffer, just as I don’t want the Palestinians in the Territories to suffer. Why are there 2 sets of laws and 2 sets of implementation throughout the Territory? There’s a name for that which we don’t like to use cause it was used in some of the worst regimes in history. It’s time to tell Bibi, “Go for it! Take Geneva and run with it. Abu Mazen approved Palestinian participation in the process. Now, we can wrap our arms around Jews in population centers in the West Bank by annexing their cities with the approval of the Palestinians! What are we waiting for?” Go to http://www.geneva-accord.org/ and read the Final Status Agreement. You’ll see that it’s in our best interests.
and when the big macher with the money from america says jump, our boy Ron from Ariel says how high - and its not an act!
Check out the Pastor John Hagee sports center there, claimed that Hitler was half Jewish, believes in the Rapture.
It is all nice to claim artists are those carrying the flame of freedom and progress but how come that the actors guilts of Egypt and Jordan flatly boycot any Israeli artist? The left has to realize that demanding respect for human rights should be universal and does apply also to Arabs!! Boycotting Israeli's and Jews does not contribute to mutual understanding. If those Arabs and Jews who applaud this action would be as vigilant in demanding Egyptian and Jordanian actor guilts to stop boycotting Israel against the peace accords they would find much more understanding for their stand in Israeli society
Do not twist reality, Arthur. Do not play the well known anti-semitism tune on your violin. What the world, not just the Arabs and so-called leftist self-hating Jews, does boycott is the occupation and the people who support it. What actors guilts of Egypt and Jordan are doing is exactly what the world did earlier on against South Africa and these were not Jews.
Perhaps Ms Livnat should read article 49 of the fourth Geneva Convention, and understand that Ariel is an illegal settlement under International Law. How can she possibly talk of depriving the illegal settlers of art and culture, when the occupation deprives the Palestinian people of their basic right to exist.
If they raise too much of a ruckus and continue their denigration of these actors...or if they're punished, banished, or suffer any other negative consequences - and especially if the government gets involved in any form of retribution - then you ain't seen nothing yet, babe! You're gonna see the unleashing of the many boycotts that are poised internationally - just waiting for something decisive that will end the debate over their implementation.
We shouldn't pay a grush to any of these bastards from public funds the minute they refuse to honor their commitment to serve all the public as they required.
...they are doing the correct thing, also declaring it loud-and-clear.
Since they're paid and sponsored by state funds, make them earn their pay, service in Miluim would be a proper way of having them earn their keep when they refuse to perform
That might be a problem since some of them didn't even do their National Service!
Shame on you "actors"!
... "life comes to a full stop" so that we can all rethink this primal mistake of high-handedly appropriating land and resources that belong to our neighbors... time does not heal this festering wound, much as we wish to continue our lives as if nothing-has -happened,,,
Israelis that reside on the West Bank - it gives legitimacy to any type of boycott arranged abroad. When those who boycott any Israeli products or services are accused of anti-Semitism, they can point to Israelis boycotting the West Bank and say "how are we anti-Semitic? After all - Israeli Jews also boycott the West Bank."
it is not anti-semitism, it is anti-settlments loud-and-clear... what other way can actors express themselves?!
Maybe these actors are exactly what's needed as an "activate" switch that will mobilize Israelis into bringing the unpopularity of the settlements to the forefront...
Their national pride and ideals are much more important than performances.
Not everyone agrees with the settlers but they are very well respected because they stand up for themselves!
If the actors have the right to boycott, the public also has the right to know who they are and not attend any performances they are in. When the public decides not to attend a performance due to this, they should let the theaters know why they are not attending.
Thinking cap....got one?
That would be a bad decision. The problem these artists should face is, who calls ariel a settlement.I cRamallah a settlement.
Actually one of the actors, Dror Keren, has already announced that he is withdrawing his name from the boycott letter. Its possible that the wording was changed after they signed. In any case whatever the reason all of the actors involved (only a part of the signatories) can be replaced for specific performances.
..that may be attached to these artists should not be underestimated. Their stance isn't one that's popular among mainstream Israelis.
As for mainstream Israelis, how many actually know where Israel's ACTUAL SOVEREIGN boundaries are? (especially when they have had successive Israeli Governments NOT WANTING them to know). http://wp.me/pDB7k-sa
Thanks to these performers who have the courage to stand up for what is right. Their refusal to perform in the illegally occupied settlement of Ariel shows that they are people of integrity and honor. May their careers flourish and may their numbers grow by leaps and bounds.
Actors have taken positions on Israel before....One Proud example is Jacob Adler's Daughter Stella who in Pre-state Israel supported and raised funds for the Irgun agencies in N.Y. Marlon Brando was even raising money and donating to the Irgun. Vanessa Redgrave who supported PLO terror would be laughing if she knew that these very frightened and guilt ridden Actors are afraid to perform in an area that is even more Jewishly connected and rightfully owned than Tel- Aviv!
Actors have taken positions on Israel before....One Proud example is Jacob Adler's Daughter Stella who in Pre-state Israel supported and raised funds for the Irgun agencies in N.Y. Marlon Brando was even raising money and donating to the Irgun. Vanessa Redgrave who supported PLO terror would be laughing if she knew that these very frightened and guilt ridden Actors are afraid to perform in an area that is even more Jewishly connected and rightfully owned than Tel- Aviv!
He's not a fan of Ariel or any of the settlements.
...how thoroughly twisted some folk's morals are... "an area that is even more Jewishly connected and rightfully owned than Tel- Aviv! " Er no. Israel's actual sovereignty doesn't extend past it's actual Sovereign boundaries. http://wp.me/pDB7k-tM
Shir Idelson: "I won't perform [in settlements] even if it costs me my job" Gila Almagor: "If the theater says 'you are required to perform,' then I have a contract with the theater and I will go and perform under protest."
Ms. Almagor is very leftwing and is undoubtedly opposed to the settlements but she is intelligent and wise and I salute her decision.
Nachman and his American donor (Pastor Hagee, perhaps?) can always mount a joint a joint Shas/Evangelical Xtian production of "The Odd Couple" at their Ariel "cultural centre." Civlized Jews and their allies will support these real artists who represent what remains of Israel's conscience as they act, direct, and write in Israel (i.e. west of the Green Line).
You may not realize it but the Green Line is an Armistice Line and not a permanent border. Once there is a Peace Treaty signed you will know what areas lie within the State of Israel. Until then, all is open to negotiations. If it is "Civilized Jews," who are in the ranks of the boycotters, I will happily be uncivilized.
You may not realize it but the entire West including the weak as water USA consider the settlements east of the Green Line illegitimate. What's more, as an apartheid supporter, you can most defnitely count yourself among the ranks of the uncivilized. Cheers, loser.
Until such time as a border is RE-Negotiated, Israel's actual borders are those of May 14th 1948 ... // “…. within frontiers approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations in its Resolution of November 29, 1947, // .... http://wp.me/pDB7k-tM Israel has never legally annexed ANY territory beyond it's actual Sovereignty. Even territories acquired by defensive war must be legally annexed. i.e., bilaterally.
We have to understand the "elite" mentality. This artists think that since they are "sensible" they are better than you and me, same concept with BGU academia, same concept with the Supreme court, that is called an "illustrated dictatorship" far away of course of democracy. The "elite" is better than the rest and so they show the ignorant masses the correct way, giving little importance to what this people may feel or think!
these people refuse to play the jester to the idiots who have set up camp in "greater israel" at the expense of palestinians. you call that a dictatorship? hm. i for one find that the settlers' childish demands are far more dictatorial.
they have a conscience and a moral compass unlike you
"elite" mentality? Since when is RIGHT and WRONG limited to any elite?
The "Palestinians" were created in the mind of Yasser Arafat after the 67 war!!!!! Prior to 67 those same "Palestinians" that youre imagining were Jordanians.... aha!! so now, what lands did thse former Jordanians own as Palesitnians?? are you confused now? thats how ignorant you sound I just responded to your post to clarify your ignorance
The settlements are not "illegal" as sometimes charged. The Fourth Geneva Convention does not apply to settlements even though you will often hear the claim that it does. Israel took over the land in a defensive war in 1967 from rulers (Jordan, Egypt) who themselves had recently acquired control of the land by aggressive war. The only internationally recognized agreements are those of the Oslo process which do not in any sentence prohibit settlements. At some points in time Israel has voluntarily agreed to a temporary halt to new settlements in anticipation of negotiating breakthroughs. But the repeated reversion to terrorism by the Palestinian Arabs has ended such restraint. The endlessly repeated refrain about "occupied territories" is propaganda, since a) the territories never belonged to Palestinian Arabs, b) the Palestinian Authority was given control of the areas, and c) the only reason Israel continues to exert control is in reaction to Palestinian Arab violence. The United Nations has frequently addressed the question of Israel's policies and activity of Israelis in the territories, starting with Resolution 242, passed right after the 1967 war. That Resolution seeks a just resolution of the conflict and calls for withdrawal and mutual recognition, but it says nothing about legality. Resolution 338, passed after the 1973 Yom Kippur war, requires Israel and the Arabs to negotiate peace. By insisting that the Palestinians negotiate with Isreal, the Security Council Resolution implicitly agrees that the occupation itself does not violate international law.
...we are merely dealing with land-theft, surely a felony like any other...
the philistines were there long before the jews came, it doesn't matter what they were called at that time they are still Arabs in the end. and most of the isrlies are european converts to zionism
Ariel is not a settlement but a city built just over the 1967 border. There is NO doubt that it will be included within the Israeli borders if and when the Palestinians decide that they are interested in a real peace agreement. They can receive alternative land in exchange.
Esther, I remember the 1967 war very well as a young woman with a baby whose husband was called up a month before the war because of Egyptian aggression (closing the Straits of Tiran). The Israelis didn't wake up one morning and decide to conquer the West Bank and Gaza! Diplomats were sent to speak to King Hussein of Jordan asking him not to enter the war and if he had been wise, then he would still control the West Bank and we wouldn't have this disgusting mess to deal with. What do you suggest? Returning the West Bank like we returned Gaza, i.e. without any agreement? Yes, I long to see an agreement with the Palestinians but it takes two to tango and as you well know, the security risks are very great. We make an agreement with Abbas and the PLO and two years later Hamas takes over and then what.........
It is interesting that the first boycott by Israelis against the settlers is by actors, but this profession allows them to be less inhibited. For a similar reason, foreign actors are the first to boycott Israel for the sin of occupation. A boycott by Israelis is appropriate because it allows the citizenry to express its true opinion, which the Knesset has a more difficult time doing due to political considerations. The boycott should be more widespread, and not only for cultural events. People who are against the occupation should not employ or give work to settlers, thus allowing them to maintain their harmful "lifestyle". Let the people of Israel speak out in a way the settlers can hear.
Boycotts work both ways. All of the work that the boycotters are in should be boycotted. Let the "elites" know that they don't walk on water. The Israelis expressed their true opinions in the last elections. If you wish to package those Israeli actors with the foreign boycotters, you are putting them in bed with Tibi and his ilk. Pleasant dreams.
... Also the Rightists can boycott, right?... and the teachers... and the parents,.... the greens.... .the Arabs.... the religious, the radio, the TV, the unions of the electric company, the water company, the pilots, the garbage,...... I must stop somewhere, no? Enough boycotts? No? Then also boycotters of boycotts.... So, all Israelis can boycott for a cause they believe in...a right cause according to them.... BUT NOT ACCORDING TO OTHERS. Like, I don't agree to boycott art in Ariel. And I don't agree to a boycott of universities by professors anywhere. So, shouldn't I boycott the boycotters? What kind of balagan is that?
In your case, you may prefer to rent your apartment to a white family rather than a black one. Individuals boycott all the time and have the right to it. Better come up with better arguments, such as "institutional" boycotts, but you will need to put some thought into it first.
Like "renting an apartment to whites or black" is a response to what I wrote? What an idea! Or lack of.... Individuals' boycotts have nothing to do with boycotts of the Left or Right that I am talking about. Or of big unions, or of tens of actors.... in general of groups of followers who replace thinking with following. So, you do not have an answer.... poor Logios....