A major British cinema chain has been accused of declining to host an Israeli film event, with organizers citing “safety concerns”.
Israel’s global film festival, the Seret International Film Festival, criticized the alleged actions of its long-time UK partners Picturehouse and Curzon Cinemas.
The apolitical and secular festival was launched in 2012 by Odelia Haroush, who denounced Picturehouse and Curzon in London. times interview Giving in to “cancel culture.”
“Their role is to show cinema and culture, not cancel culture,” Haroush told the paper. “Especially now. Don’t cancel Palestinian culture, Russian culture, Ukrainian culture, Israeli culture.”
of times Picturehouse and Curzon reportedly pulled out of hosting citing “safety concerns”.
Haroush also told the newspaper that he had been forced to cancel the film festival screening in Cambridge due to the “political atmosphere between the university and students.”
“It’s not like I’m going to show it to you, but [films] Everything is blooming and showing great things in Israel. We choose films based on their artistic value, not their political value. But I believe wholeheartedly in freedom of speech,” Haroush told the paper, adding that the filmmakers “should not be responsible for what is happening in Israel.”
Ms Harrowsh said Picturehouse informed her in November that it could not hold screenings because cinema owners were “afraid” of staff and visitors. Haroush told the newspaper that Curzon resigned in February following Israeli attacks on food trucks in the Gaza Strip.
deadline report The company has reached out to both chains for comment. Neither was able to discuss the issue.
This is not the first time the festival and its participants have been challenged.
as jerusalem post office reportIn 2019, a group of anti-Israel activists assaulted attendees at an event in Berlin, injuring people and disrupting discussion at the podium.
An estimated 10 to 12 protesters took part in the disruption and attack.
