Over 10,000 Israeli Artists Unite to Demand Increased Cultural Funding Ahead of Elections

More than 10,000 creators, cultural institutions, and organizations across Israel have formed the "Culture and Creation Coalition" ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections. This coalition brings together major bodies from theater, cinema, television, literature, music, dance, museums, visual arts, and arts education, including prominent groups such as Shacham, AMI, the Directors Guild, the Documentary Forum, the Screenwriters Guild, and others.

The coalition aims to place culture at the center of the public and political agenda by engaging with party leaders and presenting a comprehensive policy document. Their key demand is a gradual increase in the national budget allocation for culture from the current 0.15% to 1%. They argue that the current budget has eroded over the years, undermining the stability of cultural institutions and creators in Israel.

The policy paper calls for recognizing culture as a vital national infrastructure and a civil right, legally establishing the status of artists, ensuring professional and independent management of funding, protecting freedom of expression and creation, investing in original Israeli works, expanding cultural accessibility nationwide, and reducing disparities between central and peripheral regions. It also advocates strengthening Israel's cultural international standing through expanded collaborations and exports.

Coalition members emphasize that following the COVID-19 pandemic and recent conflicts, culture has been a source of resilience and comfort for Israeli society. They highlight that many countries invest a significantly higher percentage of their budgets in culture, which also drives economic growth, employment, and state revenue.

Shacham chairman Uri Yaniv described the situation as an emergency, stating that any government formed after the elections must present a plan to increase cultural budgets, calling it essential for Israeli society. Roni Abulafia, head of the Documentary Forum, stressed the need for strong public support and absolute creative freedom, while Eliran Eliya, chair of the Directors Guild, called the coalition's formation a national move and urged the development of long-term cultural investment policies.