Both J Street and B’nai B’rith International are condemning those protesting the Toronto Film Festival for showcasing Tel Aviv at this year’s event. The protestors called the featuring of Tel Aviv in the inaugural City to City series a "propaganda campaign" on behalf of an "apartheid regime," while the co-director of the festival, while defending the choice, referred to Tel Aviv as "constested ground." J Street put out a lengthy statement, calling the protesters — who include Jane Fonda and Danny Glover — "shameful and shortsighted" and ripping the co-director’s statement as well:
The cause of peace will not be served by demonizing Israeli film and filmmakers as being part of the "Israeli propaganda campaign." In fact, anyone who actually watches popular Israeli films would know that the films are often vigorously critical of Israeli government policy.
Some critics say their objection is to the Israeli government’s role in promoting the films and not the films themselves. Israel, like many other European governments, supports its film industry financially and does not employ any political litmus test to determine which films receive funding. It is almost as if critics would have us believe that Benjamin Netanyahu personally selected these films for maximum propaganda effect. That, of course, is false and absurd.
We were also dismayed by the Toronto International Film Festival’s co-director’s statement that Tel Aviv is "contested ground." Anyone that questions Tel Aviv’s legitimacy as an Israeli city either needs a geography lesson or doesn’t believe in the two-state solution, which is the only way to secure Israel as a Jewish democracy and provide the Palestinians with a state of their own.
B’nai B’rith also weighed in, saying it was angered by the protests. “This film festival is an opportunity for artists from around the world to share their perspectives,” said Moishe Smith, B’nai B’rith International president. “All filmmakers, regardless of religion or nationality, should have the opportunity to have their work screened at the festival.”
After the jump, the full statements from J Street and BBI:[[READMORE]]
First, J Street:
J Street Executive Director Jeremy Ben-Ami released the following statement today:
J Street applauds the Toronto International Film Festival for choosing Tel Aviv for its inaugural City-to-City spotlight.
Israel’s growing and internationally recognized film industry, centered in Tel Aviv, is rightly a source of pride for many Israelis and Americans. Through their art, Israeli filmmakers are presenting the world with a rich picture of Israel’s complex and layered society that goes deeper than simplistic headlines.
We find protests and criticism of the Toronto International Film Festival’s decision to showcase Tel Aviv’s film industry shameful and shortsighted.
The cause of peace will not be served by demonizing Israeli film and filmmakers as being part of the "Israeli propaganda campaign." In fact, anyone who actually watches popular Israeli films would know that the films are often vigorously critical of Israeli government policy.
Some critics say their objection is to the Israeli government’s role in promoting the films and not the films themselves. Israel, like many other European governments, supports its film industry financially and does not employ any political litmus test to determine which films receive funding. It is almost as if critics would have us believe that Benjamin Netanyahu personally selected these films for maximum propaganda effect. That, of course, is false and absurd.
We were also dismayed by the Toronto International Film Festival’s co-director’s statement that Tel Aviv is "contested ground." Anyone that questions Tel Aviv’s legitimacy as an Israeli city either needs a geography lesson or doesn’t believe in the two-state solution, which is the only way to secure Israel as a Jewish democracy and provide the Palestinians with a state of their own.
We urge those protesting Tel Aviv’s selection to reconsider their actions. We also call upon the Toronto International Film Festival to hold strong with their selection and not be drawn into a political fight.
“This film festival is an opportunity for artists from around the world to share their perspectives,” said Moishe Smith, B’nai B’rith International president. “All filmmakers, regardless of religion or nationality, should have the opportunity to have their work screened at the festival.”
And BBI:
Several prominent names in the film industry, including Jane Fonda, Danny Glover, and about 50 others, signed a petition to boycott the Toronto International Film Festival because of the event’s focus on Tel Aviv-based film makers.
B’nai B’rith International shares the “outrage” of producer, writer, and director David Zucker, who condemns the signatories of what is being called “The Toronto Declaration.” The petition cites Israel as an “apartheid regime,” also criticizing films submitted to the festival as “Israeli propaganda.”
“This film festival is an opportunity for artists from around the world to share their perspectives,” said Moishe Smith, B’nai B’rith International president. “All filmmakers, regardless of religion or nationality, should have the opportunity to have their work screened at the festival.”
The Toronto International Film Festival is slated to begin on September 10, with a screening of Raphael Nadjari’s “A History of Israeli Cinema, Part 1” scheduled for the second day of the event.
