Foreign productions will be eligible to government funding only if they pledge not to deny Israel's right to exist, new guidelines set by Economy and Industry Minister Eli Cohen state.
Cohen's move, which echoes Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev's failed attempt to pass legislation that would allow her to withhold government funding from cultural organizations that "undermine state principles," follows the launching of a new grants program seeking to encourage foreign film productions in Israel.
The new program operates under the auspices of the Israel Investment Authority at the Economy and Industry Ministry and caters to foreign film productions slated to be distributed overseas.
It aims to offer foreign companies incentives that would reduce production costs, making it worthwhile for them to film in Israel. This, in turn, would have a positive effect on an array of local industries.
Cohen's funding guidelines state that a foreign production would be eligible for a government grant only if it is devoid of content that denies Israel's right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state and is free of any incitement to violence, terrorism or racism.
"The Economy and Industry Ministry will not allow public funds to be used in productions that undermine the basic principles of the state or Israel's image," Cohen said.
