Play Called ‘anti-religious’; Knesset Asked to Decide

The Knesset education committee was asked to decide whether a play. “Status Quo Vadis” should be performed around the country under the sponsorship of the Education Ministry. The Knesset voted to send the matter to committee after two Orthodox MKs. Dr. Yehuda Ben Meir of the National Religious Party and Avraham Werdiger of Poale Agudat Israel, alleged that the play was “anti-religious.”

Deputy Premier and Education Minister Yigal Allon told the Knesset that he supported the Omanut Laam theatrical department’s decision to produce the play. Omanut Laam is run jointly by the Education Ministry, Histadrut and the Israel America Cultural Foundation. It arranged theatrical performances in new development areas. Allon said the group had assured him that the play was not anti-religious in any way.