Posted on 08/22/2006 5:48:38 AM PDT by white trash redneck
TEL AVIV (EJP)--- A group of Israeli filmmakers were dropped from the schedule of the Documentary Film Festival in the French town of Lussas last week with their films replaced by movies by Palestinian and Lebanese filmmakers.
The directors received a letter from the directors of the festival explaining that they were dropped because of the latest Middle East crisis.
In what appears to be the latest in a long list of cultural boycotts against Israeli artists, the letter informed the Israelis that their films would be replaced.
Lack of detachment
According to Ynet News, the letter, signed by the festival’s director, artistic director, and program director, claimed that “it is difficult to look at films from the countries involved in the current war with the same degree of detachment.”
As a result, the letter said, they have decided “to change the program, and not to screen all the Israeli films that were originally scheduled.”
They plan to organize a discussion of the political aspect of the conflict, and “to create a program of Lebanese and Palestinian films that will show our opposition to the war.”
The letter did not discuss why if countries "involved in the conflict" are not allowed in the program, the Israelis were being replaced with Lebanese and Palestinian made films.
Angry Israelis
One Israeli filmmaker, Yoram Honig, director of First Lesson in Peace, expressed his anger. “It’s unfortunate and makes the festival ridiculous. During the war in Algeria did anyone consider not screening films by Goddard or Renoir? On the contrary, the world of documentary film brings issues to the surface, and it’s an important platform for discussion.
"My film speaks about co-existence and shows the difficulty (of Arabs and Jews) living together in Neveh Shalom. Other films in the program present various facets of Israeli society, and that is the goal of the platform. This looks to me like capitulation by the festival’s directors to Arab pressure, which I think is a black mark against a festival of this kind,” Honig told Ynet News.
This boycott of Israeli films is just the latest of a series of unofficial boycotts that have targeted Israeli artists. Earlier this year a European Dance magazine would not accept an article about an Israeli dance troupe because of their "opposition the occupation."
There are also many petitions circulating around Europe calling for a total boycott of Israeli cultural artists and institutions. One such petition calls "all artists and filmmakers of good conscience around the world to cancel all exhibitions and other cultural events" to ostracize Israel.
Do they plan on opening the festival with the Horst Wessel Song, or perhaps Sieg Heil?
Some of the French were better Nazis than the Germans.
I have utter disdain for these kind of folks.
wouldn't be a surprise-soros was a snitch for the nazis in ww2-how do you think he survivied?
these left wing jews will never wake up to the fact that they are always a**kissing the very people who hate them-i would really enjoy a video of noam chomsky beheaded by islamic fundamentalists
High volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. also
2006israelwar or WOT
..................
"I might get my Israeli flag in a smaller size than the US one, though"
Actually the correct etiquette would be two flags of the same size with the US Flag taking the position of honor, which is it's own right.
They should never be flown on the same pole.
I'd nominate for the Oscar for Best Comedy.
France = Jew haters
These people are truly sick.
How utterly stupid the so-called artistic crowd are.
Europe is soooooo Over.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.