Backlash from Local Governments Against Artists for Expressing their Political Opinions
- ACRI
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
After hundreds of artists signed a petition calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and the release of the hostages, the mayors of the cities of Arad and Migdal HaEmek, the head of Hatzor HaGlilit Regional Council, the head of Mitzpe Ramon Regional Council, and the deputy mayor of Kiryat Motzkin announced that the artists who signed the petition would not be invited to perform in their cities. In response, ACRI sent an appeal to the legal advisors of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Culture and Sports with a request that they clarify for all heads of local authorities that they are not permitted to boycott artists due to expressions of political positions that they do not agree with.
In the appeal, ACRI’s legal advisor, Attorney Oded Feller, emphasized that heads of local authorities are not authorized to intervene in artistic content, are not entitled to use public funds however they please, and are also not allowed to impose their political positions and moral, cultural, religious and social values on all residents in their areas. This matter has been clarified over the years by the courts and the Attorney General's office, and these kinds of interventions by the heads of cities and regions violate the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Appeal by ACRI, August 5, 2025 (Heb)
We have not forgotten: 🛑 Stop the killing and starvation in Gaza 🛑 Stop the abandonment of the hostages 🛑 End the war. Now.
