We, the co-founders of Seret, the London Israeli film and television festival, are pleased to have a number of cinemas as our partners at this year’s festival (Film-makers ask cinemas and Bafta to boycott London Israeli film festival, 8 June, theguardian.com). The festival appreciates the support the Israeli government makes to the development of the film and television industries in Israel, and to assisting us in presenting Israel’s creativity to UK audiences. Our festival is a showcase for the many voices throughout Israel, including Arab Israelis and Palestinians, as well as religious and secular groups. These are highly talented film-makers and actors, working together successfully, to provide entertainment and insight for film and television lovers internationally.
Freedom of expression in the arts is something that the British have worked so hard to defend. An attempt to block the sharing of creative pursuits (Letters, 9 June) and the genuine exchange of ideas and values is a disappointing reaction to a festival that sets out to open up lines of communication and understanding.
Anat Koren, Odelia Haroush and Patty Hochmann
Co-founders, Seret 2015
• The BDS bandwagon is back, with its list of mischief-makers, singling out the Jewish state while turning a blind eye to countries and world atrocities that make the Israel/Arab conflict look like a nursery school spat. There are many territorial disputes across the world that attract little or no interest from this lot.
I applaud Curzon Cinemas for standing up to these people, retaining a respect for the right of a democratic nation to celebrate its vibrant involvement in the arts and its creativity. Most of the films involved have little if nothing to do with politics. But if they did, Israel has one of the most open and transparent societies in the free world, which allows it to criticise all aspects of itself. Culture should be applauded and celebrated as a way to build bridges. There is little evidence to suggest a cultural boycott will provide any assistance to the Palestinians’ situation, but instead will merely drive a wedge between those who seek a peaceful and sensible solution.
I am a British Jew who believes in Israel. I applaud its successes and criticise its failures – because I can and it allows me to. I don’t gag what I don’t like or want to hear within society. Why should I accept being bullied, missing out on a culture and identity I feel an affinity with, because of this group’s questionable political agenda? I won’t. Bullying is ugly in all its forms, especially this deeply disturbing and “respectable” face of bullying.
Adam Wells
Isleworth, Middlesex
• Have the film-makers who put their name to the letter calling for a cultural boycott of Israel ever received funding, directly or indirectly, from Arts Council England, the British Council, the now defunct UK Film Council or any state body, for any of their works? If so, perhaps they might think twice about their hypocrisy if one follows the logic of “a direct link between the cinemas, the screenings and ... government policies”. These film-makers would therefore have the blood of countless Iraqi, Afghan and Libyan people on their hands as, one assumes, they support and promote the work of the governments who helped wreck those countries.
Justine Brian
London
• What nonsense. Do these anti-Israelis really believe Israel is “systematically targeting Palestinians” – thus suggesting Israel is governed by evil people who take glory in inflicted suffering? Israel is a legitimate democracy where women have equal rights and LGBT people have more rights than in many European countries and US states. Israel is not targeting them as a people – it is protecting its borders from terrorist attacks. Hamas is the evil force here, not Israel. If these artists and producers really cared about humanity, they would be rising up against the disaster in Syria, where so many innocents have died.
Sebastian Monblat
Sutton, Surrey
• There is likely to be an angry backlash against Ken Loach and the many others who call on London cinemas not to host the London Israeli film and television festival, which is at least partly promoted and financed by the Israeli government. Many will say culture and the arts promote unity. However, it is a fact that the Israeli government sees no difference between culture and propaganda and has stated so explicitly. Israel also enforces a kind of boycott, cultural and otherwise, on the Palestinian people. In 2009 Palestinians tried to hold a cultural festival in East Jerusalem. Israel banned it, and Israeli police broke up cultural gatherings and arrested 20 organisers and participants. Many other examples could be given.
Brendan O’Brien
Secretary, Enfield Palestine Solidarity Campaign
