Is the whole world against us?
On October 7th, 2023, the world started going crazy. The opening shot was carried out by thousands of brainwashed and hate-filled terrorists who entered Israel, murdered, slaughtered, raped, beheaded, looted and carried out all the crimes and perversions a human mind is capable of imagining.
At this stage, all who hold humanity dear to their hearts embraced us, comforted us, and grieved with us. In contrast, there were many who were inspired by the barbarian acts, called for Jihad and fantasized about invading all Israel's borders, and completing the mission.
The government and army of the only democracy in the Middle East were in shock. But, fortunately, the citizens of the wounded, bleeding state were quick to recover and put on a show of solidarity and mutual help that wasn't seen here for decades.
And meanwhile, abroad, the virus of antisemitism, that was always alive under the surface, quickly spread and infected wide populations.
The world of Israeli culture was deeply damaged. Film festivals cancelled the screening of Israeli films, director and actors who were invited in advance were asked not to come. Even the veteran Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles was postponed to next year because of threats and cancellations.
The hatred, demonstrations and boycotts damaged all spheres of our art. The screening of the third season of the successful TV series "Teheran" was postponed indefinitely, and the writing of the fourth season was halted. Book fairs and international culture events are doing fine this year without us. Authors and publishers from all over the world publish ads that slander our country and call to boycott us, including our cultural and artistic products.
Israelis have become personae non gratae. The phenomenon is still spreading and one can't tell if, how and when it will stop. Like a rolling snowball the deep hatred spreads, with many of the new haters expressing complete ignorance of the situation in Israel. Some can't even find Israel on the world map. Antisemitism has become the fashion. And if this is true of academics and universities, it becomes even more obvious among the uneducated.
And after all this lengthy preamble, it is important to calm down and remember: the creative power of Israeli artists has not wavered for a moment. The Israeli spirit is strong and resilient, and we are trying to maintain normalcy and normal life as much as possible, without forgetting the displaced from their homes, the hostages who have not yet returned, the dead, and the wounded.
A multitude of events in all areas of culture and art take place throughout the country, because art serves as a remedy for pain and the soul. Not only for the artist himself, but also for art lovers who come to observe and experience. Museums, galleries, theaters, and performance halls – are all active and full of art enthusiasts.
And let us not forget: in the media, we mainly hear and see those who shout and rage. The silent majority does not hate us, and the fact is that Israeli artists are still invited to present abroad – and collaborations, even if diminished, rejected, or received reduced media coverage – continue to exist.
And this is one of the signs of true victory over our enemies and haters. The human spirit prevails over fears and wars.
Yoram Mark-Reich, Culture Editor
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