Fair Comment

Protesting TIFF’s focus on Tel Aviv is warranted if the City to City program is really an Israeli government PR campaign.

The current ruckus over the Toronto Declaration is past belief. It reminds me of the fuss earlier this year over the play Seven Jewish Children – similar themes, political sides, rants, and labels. A sample of some of the things that have been said: “anti-Semitic,” “nonsense,” “bigotry,” “political hatred,” “political censorship,” “proclaiming any falsehood that serves the cause no matter how fictitious and regardless of consequences,” “lying without shame and without reservations,” and “at odds with the most cherished values of Canadian society.”

Only a few of the articles and blog postings on the topic actually linked to the letter. Evidently, actually reading the thing before throwing a hissy-fit isn't important. A typical accusation (e.g. Robert Lantos in The National Post) is that the letter advocates a boycott of Israeli films. However, by my reading, it seems quite clear that the letter is not advocating a boycott.

The City to City program with its inaugural focus on Tel Aviv is apparently connected to the “Brand Israel” campaign, which the Toronto Declaration calls “a million-dollar media and advertising campaign aimed at changing Canadian perceptions of Israel,” one meant to “take the focus off Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, and refocus it on achievements in medicine, science, and culture.” The declaration goes on to reference an article in Canadian Jewish News that quotes the Israeli consul general as saying that Toronto would be the test city for a promotion that could then be deployed around the world.

If they are correct then it seems to me legitimate to protest the focus on Tel Aviv.

This protest is not thrusting political propaganda onto TIFF. Rather, it is protesting against the use of TIFF for political propaganda. It seems quite clear when the Toronto Declaration says, “We do not protest the individual Israeli film makers included in City to City, nor do we in any way suggest that Israeli films should be unwelcome at TIFF. However, especially in the wake of this year’s brutal assault on Gaza, we object to the use of such an important international festival in staging a propaganda campaign on behalf of [Israel].”

Then there is the issue of whether the Toronto Declaration is politicizing TIFF. Perhaps, but isn't it somewhat naive to expect art to be apolitical? Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young all come to mind. So perhaps it is ok that those who are pro-Israel used TIFF for political purposes. If so, it follows that a response is legitimate. Alternatively, if it is not ok to politicize a festival like TIFF, then the Brand Israel campaign and the City to City program must be criticized too. One can't have it both ways.