Regev Seeks Funding Cut Over Hosting IDF Refuser

By Hamodia Staff

YERUSHALAYIM – Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev (Likud) is seeking to impose financial sanctions on the Tel Aviv Cinemateque for hosting an upcoming event celebrating the release of IDF refuser Tair Kaminer from prison, Arutz Sheva reported on Wednesday.

Kaminer left military prison on Monday after being incarcerated for 159 days, the longest term of any consciencious objector on record in Israel. Her release followed a recruitment board’s finding that she was not fit to serve in the military due to “poor behavior.”

She had stated that she was in prison “because I am unwilling to collaborate in the crime known as ‘occupation.’ ”

Regev sent a letter to Attorney General Avichai Mandelbilt, asking him to order the suspension of state aid to the Cinemateque for allowing such an event on its premises.

“We’re talking about an event that encourages refusal to serve in the IDF,” wrote Regev to Mandelbilt. “We’re not talking about refusal of a specific order that goes against one’s conscience, but entire refusal to serve in the IDF at all– something which goes against Israeli law, for which Tair sat in military prison.

“I see it as a severe offense when an institution of culture funded by the government gives a platform to illegal activity,” wrote Regev. “I would request from you to instruct the legal bodies in your office to find a legal means of preventing funding for an institution of culture that gives a platform to activity subversive to the state.”

In response, Tel Aviv Cinemateque disavowed responsibility for the political nature of the event. “We’re talking about a private event. The space has been rented by the organizers.”

To Read The Full Story

Are you already a subscriber?
Click to log in!