Culture Minister Miki Zohar Criticized for Funding Anti-Israel Art

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar has been criticized for condemning controversial artistic works while his ministry continues to provide funding and platforms for their creators. The article argues that despite Zohar's vocal opposition to what he terms 'barbarism' and 'post-Zionist' sentiment within the cultural establishment, the institutions he oversees have not become less confrontational. Instead, they have allegedly grown bolder in producing content that, according to the author, portrays Israel, its soldiers, and the Zionist project in a negative light, often using language associated with Israel's enemies.

This criticism follows Zohar's recent request to the Ministry of Interior to examine the possibility of revoking the citizenship of the creators of the film 'Nez'a,' which won a special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival. Zohar cited potential grounds for revocation such as treason or aiding the enemy during wartime, especially in light of the October 7th attacks. However, the article contends that Zohar is attempting to exert power in areas beyond his jurisdiction, as citizenship revocation is a legal process handled by other authorities.

The piece highlights several instances where Israeli cultural institutions have allegedly acted against the state's interests, including public funding for films that denigrate IDF soldiers, cultural institutions joining protests against the government, and festivals featuring events like 'Our Genocide.' The article also points to the closure of the Israeli pavilion at the Venice Biennale during the war in Gaza, reportedly by the Israeli team itself, which demanded a ceasefire and hostage deal, without prior government notification.

The author suggests that Zohar's failure lies not in his condemnation of these works but in his ministry's continued financial and institutional support for the very elements he criticizes. The article posits that nearly four years into his tenure, the cultural establishment has learned that there are few institutional consequences for confronting the state that funds it, leading to a situation where Zohar publicly denounces 'barbarism' while his ministry continues to empower its sources.