Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Aryeh King Condemns Israel Festival for Promoting Progressive Agenda

Aryeh King, the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, has sharply criticized the content of the ongoing Israel Festival in Jerusalem, accusing the city municipality and government ministries of funding events that undermine the Jewish identity of the city. King expressed frustration over the past two and a half years with cultural events sponsored by the municipality, which he claims include Sabbath desecration, violations of kosher standards, and promotion of progressive and missionary Christian content.

King singled out the festival's opening event held at the Valley of Hinnom, where hosts referred to the location by its Arabic name, Wadi al-Rababa, a move he compared to welcoming audiences in Tel Aviv or Ashkelon with non-Jewish place names. He also alleged failures in maintaining kosher standards at festival venues, despite oversight by the Jerusalem Municipality, the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage, the Ministry of Culture, and the Jerusalem Development Authority.

He urged the public to boycott the festival, which he described as pushing a left-wing progressive agenda, and criticized the fact that "left-wing people" control the festival's programming despite a right-wing and religious majority in the government and city council. King blamed elected officials rather than courts or legal advisors for allowing funding of events that contradict their stated values, stating, "The right does not know how to govern."

King also referenced a recent design festival at Beit Hansen, which he claimed involved Sabbath desecration despite prior commitments to the contrary. He warned that the presence of Jerusalem Municipality or Ministry logos on events is no guarantee of suitability for traditional audiences, noting that such incidents were unprecedented in his 13 years with the municipality, including previous administrations under Nir Barkat and Moshe Lion.