Ben-Gurion University Wine Festival Row After West Bank Wineries Were Rejected, Then Reinvited
A wine festival scheduled for next week at Ben-Gurion University in Beersheba sparked an uproar after owners of three wineries said they were first told their participation was canceled because they operate in Judea and Samaria. After pressure on the university, some of the wineries were invited back, but not all accepted the new offer.
Nava Moshovitz, co-owner of the Dromia winery in Sussia in southern Mount Hebron, told ynet that a producer contacted her about a month ago and invited the winery to take part. Last week, she said, she received a message saying there was a problem and that the university management did not want wineries from Judea and Samaria. She said the notice came while her husband was on the way to reserve duty in Lebanon. “I was shocked and even offended,” she said. “My husband has served hundreds of days since October 7, but because our winery is in Judea and Samaria it is not appropriate.”
Menachem Weiss, one of the owners of Libni Winery in southern Mount Hebron, said his business also received an invitation and then a cancellation. “I have been in the wine business for 20 years and have taken part in several festivals, and this is the first time something like this has happened,” he said. He said the production company apologized and told him the decision came from the university. Producer Amir Bukobza, who works with several wineries including Har Bracha, said the incident was unprecedented for him and argued that wineries from the area should be supported because “they are the flak jacket of the state.”
Weiss said Libni Winery received a renewed invitation and will attend. Moshovitz said Dromia will not, saying, “We received a boycott and a slap in the face,” and that the reversal came only after media and public pressure. Ben-Gurion University denied that the cancellations were linked to Judea and Samaria, saying the reason was lack of space and unapproved participation, and insisted that all wineries from across the country are welcome if the wine is kosher and high quality.
