Saturday night activists in Amsterdam pulled off a fantastic action at an Israeli whitewashing event promoted as “Israel=Culture” the first Israeli theatre mini-festival in Amsterdam, “three days of presenting the rich and vibrant theatre culture of Israel.”
Spot On theater’s production stars Lia Koenig, the “first lady of Israeli theatre”, and the event is dubbed as a “starting point of exchange of ideas and collaboration between Dutch and Israeli theater makers, that will grow from year to year.”
Dutch activists managed to enter the event after purchasing tickets. They videoed themselves prior to, and after the loud action, on their departure yelling “BOYCOTT ISRAEL”. As the video explains they were “knocked down by security and audience so we couldn’t film ourselves” during the action. The video does show the arrest of one of their team, Abulkasim Al-Jaberi. In total 9 people were arrested, however 8 have since been released. Al-Jaberi remains in custody.
Someone inside the threatre recorded their protest (video below). Very loud and very effective.
For folks doubting the whitewash-element, just read the text on their Facebook page: “Be there to support Israel and the positive ideas it represents. We celebrate life, humanity, creativity”, alongside a photo of Koenig, the iconic Israeli actress.
Quoting a contact in Amsterdam:
We’re making this into a big thing, also targeting the cultural institution that sponsored the event: the Prins Bernard Cultuurfonds [Cultural Fund]. Yesterday the fund reacted on criticism by stating their decision has nothing to do with politics. A classic. They’ve obviously missed out on the Facebook-page of the event and the other sponsors: the Israeli Embassy and El Al. We’ll make sure this will never happen again.
Here’s the action inside the event:
“Be there to support Israel and the positive ideas it represents. We celebrate life, humanity, creativity” To say such things after the slaughter in Gaza is simply depraved.
BTW did they bring along some token Arabs to make it all look good?
And as long as we’re on the subject of theatre, what an appropriate title for a culture-wash: Spot On
Nice one Shmuel! “Is this a dagger I see before me… ?”
One thing that struck me was how much the photo on the poster resembles Hillary Clinton. *Not* exactly a come-on for most potential theater-goers, I imagine?
It is good to send a message to anyone thinking they are are immune from such actions.
Keeping them on tender hooks no matter how/where, or when (we know the why) they plan to make Israel look normal.
“Boycott Israel” ringing in their ears for as long as it takes to end the sham act , that is Israel.
Well done these Dutch activists.
Author: If I read the title of the article, I am lead to believe that the purpose of the Israeli activity was solely to trick people into thinking the occupation is not as bad as it is. So, if there was no occupation there would be no performance. I don’t agree with that. Similarly, I do not believe that gay culture thrives in Israel only to counter balance the way Palestinians are treated in the OT. I just dont