The Neve Zedek Theater Group, defying a ban imposed by the government-appointed film and theater censorship board, presented the premier performance of Hanoch Levin’s new satirical work “The Patriot” here last night and said tonight’s performance would go on as planned to a full house despite a police order to cancel it.
Neve Zedek is on experimental fringe theater. “The Patriot,” a cabaret style production rather than a play, offended the authorities by its irreverent treatment of such sacred cows in Israeli life as nationalistic feelings, religion and the West Bank settlements. According to Joshua Justman, chairman of the censorship board, a majority of its members felt the work was “gravely offensive to the fundamental values of the State, Jewish tradition and wide segments of the population, Jewish and Arab.”
Last night’s audience gave “The Patriot” a warm reception. But critics said this was more a demonstration of support for its stand against censorship than a response to its artistic merits. Many said the work would have a short run were it not for the publicity generated by the clash with the censors.
Neve Zedek sources said they decided to defy the ban because the time has come to confront the censors. They said they have the support of many backers of the Likud government as well as more liberal elements of society. One member of the censorship board resigned in protest after it voted 11-7 to ban the play.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
