The so-called "culture loyalty bill" has riled organizations and figures in Israel's cultural and artistic world, and on Tuesday the Israel Culture and Arts Forum sent a petition to lawmakers urging them not to pass the law.
The online petition had garnered 2,800 signatures on Facebook, among them five Israel Prize laureates: poet Tuvya Ruebner, author David Grossman, musicologist Edwin Seroussi and sculptors Micha Ullman and Dani Karavan. Other signatories included internationally acclaimed playwright Shmuel Hasfari, filmmaker Amos Gitai and entertainer Rivka Michaeli.
If passed, the law would prohibit the state from funding organizations and institutions that deny Israel is a Jewish and democratic state; incite racism, violence or terrorism; support armed struggle and terrorist activities; mark Independence Day as a day of mourning, or vandalize the national flag or emblem.
"We, artists and intellectuals, call on the government of Israel and the Knesset of Israel not to ratify the so-called 'culture loyalty' bill," the petition said.
"If it is ratified it will be possible to cut public funding from any type of cultural activity, on the sole basis of political considerations, and it will be enough to subjugate the world of Israeli culture, creativity and art to political interpretation, populist decisions and the general opinions of political elements.
"Israeli society is strong and democratic, and its fortitude is also dependent on its ability to hold diverse dialogue, which respects a broad range of views and opinions. Cultural funding is necessary to ensure fundamental space for thought and creativity, for the benefit of all of Israeli society and the various groups and opinions comprising it.
"For this reason, this legislative proposal cannot be passed. No government can be allowed to use public funds to prevent the legitimate presence of diverse views and opinions in the public sphere, which may be uncomfortable for the government regardless of its political tilt."
The petition concludes with a plea: "Don't suppress Israeli society's vigorous democratic, social, cultural and artistic discourse."
