BICOM

Leaders spanning Israel’s political spectrum yesterday publicly condemned a controversial campaign by the right-wing pressure group Im Tirtzu, which blacklists 117 leading artists and cultural figures for links to civil society groups which they believe denigrate Israel.

Im Tirtzu claims that, “Our cultural world is controlled by many moles” which it says are “planted” by civil rights organisations such as B’tselem, which it accused in a similar campaign last month, of receiving funds from foreign governments to act against Israel’s interests. An Im Tirtzu representative told Yediot Ahronot that, “Transparency is not incitement. It is the public’s right to know that Gila Almagor is a member of the public council of B’Tselem.” Almagor is one of Israel’s most celebrated actresses. Others named by Im Tirtzu include cultural icons including writers Amos Oz and David Grossman, whose son was killed in action during the Second Lebanon War.

The Im Tirtzu campaign coincides with a legislative initiative by Likud’s Culture Minister Miri Regev to limit her ministry’s funds to cultural initiatives which are considered compatible with loyalty to the state. However, Regev herself condemned the Im Tirtzu campaign, saying “we must refrain from statements that could lead to incitement and violence.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke out, saying “I object to the use of the term ‘traitor’ for those who don’t agree with me.” Veteran Likud MK Benny Begin was especially outspoken, saying “the search, identification and marking of alleged traitors is an old fascist characteristic, an ugly and dangerous one.”

Jewish Home leaders also condemned Im Tirtzu’s initiative, including Education Minister Naftali Bennett, who commented “the campaign against the artists is embarrassing, pointless and degrading.” Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked told Army Radio, “artists with left-wing opinions shouldn’t be considered ‘moles’ or demonised.”

Meanwhile, opposition leader and Zionist Union head Isaac Herzog accused Im Tirtzu of “McCarthyism,” but pledged “the Israeli McCarthyism and the lowlifes leading it will disappear, like they did from the United States.”