So– I wake up this morning to a barrage of emails giving me a link to a web posting that has been widely picked up. It says that Rabbi Hier at the Simon Wiesenthal Center (he and I were friends—I thought) claims I support the destruction of Israel because I signed (along with many other artists, historians, including eight Israelis, mostly filmmakers) a petition protesting the Toronto International Film Festival’s decision to feature a celebratory “spotlight” on Tel Aviv. We understand that by doing this the festival has become, whether knowingly or not, a participant in a cynical PR campaign to improve Israel’s image, make her appear less war-like. The Israeli Consul General said a year ago that Toronto would be the launch site of an extensive “Brand Israel” campaign. Artists and others of us who love Israel do not want art to be used to whitewash the tragedies committed against Palestinians, most recently in last winter’s terrible war in Gaza (1400 Palestinians dead, mostly civilians, many more wounded, and there are documented human rights violations) and the ongoing blockade of Gaza that is deepening a serious humanitarian crisis, wreaking havoc on the lives of innocent people, and preventing reconstruction in the aftermath of the attack.
The letter we signed did not —repeat: DID NOT–call for a boycott of any part of the Toronto Film Festival. In fact, many of the people who signed the letter are showing films there and many of the Israeli filmmakers that go to the festival show films critical of Israel. We protest the use of Tel Aviv to rebrand Israel. We are standing up for integrity of art, not censoring anyone. The letter certainly did not call for the destruction of Israel or call into question the legitimacy of Tel Aviv as a city. But In the year when Gaza happened there shouldn’t be a celebratory spotlight on Tel Aviv.
I have been to Israel many times. The first was in the early 1980s and it was love at first sight…for the country and for its people. I stayed in a Kibbutz with the great Israeli novelist, Amos Oz, and his family. I raised money for a senior center in Haifa, for a girl’s shelter in Jerusalem. I have spoken at the Hebrew University. I traveled into Lebanon with the Israeli army in 1981. I went deep into Russia in the 80s to secretly meet with Soviet Refusenik, Ida Nudel, after which I a national speaking tour in the U. S. to build support for letting Ida go to Israel where she now lives. In other words, I have been intimately involved with Israel over 3 decades. On almost every visit I also went into the West Bank, met with Palestinian artists, visited Palestinian refugee camps, drove through the Israeli settlements that encroach increasingly into Palestinian territory. I have seen suffering on both sides. It is out of love for Israel and all that it promised to be that I protest the use of art (which is meant to search for truth) in this branding campaign. The greatest “re-branding” of Israel would be to celebrate that country’s robust peace movement by allowing aid to be delivered to Gaza and stopping expansion of the settlements. That’s the way to show Israel’s commitment to peace, not a PR campaign. There will be no two-state solution unless this happens.
M Broadway
Coming from someone who works in the film industry in the US, is attending the festival/market in Toronto and supports global independent films I am not pleased by your decision to sign this petition. I do not believe that we as Americans should support the banning of art for political purposes; next you will be suggesting we burn Israeli books. No one has the right to suppress art propaganda or not. Also, if you are as fair minded as you say you are then I would think you would feel that Israeli and Palestinian artists have the right to freedom of speech and free expression as anyone else on this planet and have a right to share their political views. Not just the political views you think they should have. Let me ask you this all of the major film festivals regularly spotlight different countries and their film industry. I am sure that different tourist boards lobby for this kind of publicity. Why should other countries have a right to publicize their country to support tourism but not Israel? China gets to have the Olympics but a Canadian film festival can’t show Israeli films. I think that all filmakers and countries have a right to promote their artists. I dont like your politics but I am not going to ask the studios not to hire you.
Efi_from_Tel-Aviv
Jane you say: “But In the year when Gaza happened there shouldn’t be a celebratory spotlight on Tel Aviv.”
Do you really believe that is logical stance? If there was a celebratory spotlight on New York, should it be cancelled because the American army killed a hell of a lot Afghans?
This is a stupid way of thinking. We don’t have to agree over what happened in Gaza, though I would love to see how you would feel if rockets were landing on your house in unprovoked attacks for 8 years. And remember we left Gaza in 2005. But the point is, your one sided view of Gaza should not be mixed with art.
Tel Aviv is a great city and like many cities on this planet it should be celebrated even if a bunch of pretentious individuals want to push their biased views on everyone. Get a grip!
carol
I have always been a fan of yours and I have seen all of your movies. I must say that I am extremely dissappointed in your position on Israel. I would very much like to know of your response to Yigal’s excellent blog of September 6 before I change my opinion about you.
Lora
Jane, it is so nice to hear someone take an EDUCATED stand in Hollywood. So many people have opinions but have no idea what it actually is that they are supporting or not supporting.
I cannot believe some of the comments I read on this blog. To think that people come here and read your inspiring words just so that they can try and tear you down. And to have endured this for most of your career…I salute you.
LVCI
Ok so here’s the thing I’ve noticed with people who do not agree with others.
Most (not all) responses fail to present an opposing view. Rather they formulate hateful & ugly rants that take the form of personal attacks. In the end I am left with a stronger negative impression of the authors of these, then what they said.
These same folks spew keywords like socialist, Anti-American, elitist, hate, etc. All words that come from ugly dark souls. Words seldom uttered by the one being targeted and certainly not from compassionate loving individuals.
As far as this Israeli matter… there are people, then there are governments. But then again when you have two governments founded on opposing religions… Oy Vey
Leiser Peles
i would like to thank you for adding your signature to the toronto decleration.
as a person who was born, raised and lived most of my life in israel, i have lots of care for the people who live there. my family, friends and alleys so i try to do all i can to stop the horror who commit by the state of israel in the last decades.
it surprise me that the call to boycott israel propaganda machine is coming that late, after the lost of so many lives but it is better late then never and i for sure wish that by the growing of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement – we will bring the apartheid regime to its end.
thank you for your (late) support and i wish that the Zionist lobby will not brake your spirit.
sorry for my lame English. in Hebrew it sound much better.
Sumbal
Jane,
Thank you for taking a stance, and showing some semblance of sanity in an otherwise manic world, and against those who have nothing but negativity and hatred in their hearts and mind. Viva Palestina!
Arabrab Press
Dear Ms Fonda
Let me begin with your reputation and then refer you to Yigal’s erudite summation. In trying to do good you have gained the reputation of irrational emotion decisions. In this case you clearly need to learn more about the Gaza situation:
Israel provides Water, Electricity, Food and Medical supplies to people who have received 1.3 Billion Euros and NOT built one University, Hospital , Infrastructure, roads, but used the money for Grads, Kassams, digging tunnels, terrorism, and then cry out to the world.
Israel left Gaza and a $14million export business in organic fruit and vegetables for the Palestinians to show they could help themselves. In a matter of days, they destroyed every one of the hothouses, and embraced terror.
They teach pure hate to their toddlers and children in every class and every age level as well as on TV and in their summer camps.
They embrace the Jihad mentality and reject peace. Their High Schools are named Shahids after brutal terrorists who have killed or maimed or blinded innocent children and their parents in Israel.
And you point a finger at Israel!
The exceptionally erudite letter by Yigal explains and gives the true picture
* Self-defense – Israel’s operation in Gaza was done out of self-defense. 1,300 people were killed. But, beforehand, 1.5 million people were living under the threat of Hamas rockets, in bomb shelters. A whole segment of Israel was simply shut down – people could not go to work, children could not go to school. What was Israel to do?
* Factual inaccuracy – 1,300 people were killed in Israel’s Gaza operation. But subsequent inquiries have determined that the majority (if not vast majority) of individuals killed were Hamas militants. That distinction should be made.
* Collective Punishment – I’m sure you’ll argue (rightfully so) that innocent lives were still lost. This is unfortunately true. And, in fighting terror, Israel must ensure that it only strikes enemies of peace – and not innocent people. But, to a certain extent, the same goes for you. Not everyone in Tel Aviv supported their country’s actions in Gaza. On the contrary, as I’m sure you know, Tel Aviv is arguably the intellectual epicenter of Israel’s secular left wing. I’m sure you have no intention of doing so, but your proposal essentially punishes these people for actions they did not support.
* Support for Hamas – I’m sure that you and your peers simply intend to oppose the violence and loss of life involved in the Gaza operation. Understood. But your actions may have the unintended consequence of supporting Hamas – an organization openly dedicated to Israel’s destruction that has brought misery to the Palestinians.
So allow me to propose an alternative – go to the film festival and, when there, voice your criticism of the Gaza operations. No one will construe your involvement as tacit support for what took place. You will only support dialogue – something that has been absent in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the recent years. And, as a person dedicated to humanity and to Israel, you are a needed part of that dialogue.
I hope yours is at best ignorance which can be remedied so that you finally understand the true morality of the Israeli people and what they face on a daily basis.
Arabrab Press
New York
Richard Silverstein
Yours was a principled position and the fact that the right pro-Israel figures have resorted to twisting yr position out of context (or lying about it) isn’t surprising) since that’s how these people do their politics.
I’ve got news for you, Marvin Hier was only yr friend as long as you could do something for him. He’s a user. He used the lie that the Iranian parliament passed a law forcing Jews to wear a yellow start (a lie) to advance his own group’s anti-Semitism agenda. He is building a “Museum of Remembrance” on a Muslim cemetery in West Jerusalem thereby oblitering the memory of the Muslims buried within it.
Not a nice man. Not a good rabbinic model (& I am a proud American Jew btw).
Eyal
I am Israeli and I also signed that letter. Not to boycott the festival, or the directors — I watched some of the films in the program and they are good films. But the occupation, our occupation, must end. It is not only immoral with numerous exclamation marks but also damaging the Israeli society, which is becoming more and more internally violent, disillusioned, fractured. To all our true friends in the world: please continue to pressure Israel. It is the only way our government – any of them – will move us away from the suicidal path we’re marching on.
kobi
I would like to thank you for signing the Toronto Statement. As an Israeli I
wish Israel would spend as much effort
on genuine peace efforts as it does on improving its image. I think that the
Toronto statement by you and others is very important in this regard.
As for the dishonest criticism you receive for making this
stand. I am sure that This sort of thing can be unpleasant but in a way it is
also a tribute to the importance of your statement and to its relevancy. Please
do not let that upset you. Please also know that many of us here in Israel are
not represented by those who make it a habit to launch dishonest hysterical
attacks every time someone critiques Israel abroad in some way. In fact, much
harsher critique of Israel is commonplace in the Israeli press.
Nitzan Aviv
Thank you Jane for your firm & courageous stand, by signing the petition protesting the Toronto International film festival’s decision to feature a celebrating “spotlight” on Tel-Aviv.
Francis
All of the weight ins. Why has this become about Jane Fonda? Could it be because those involved saw a vulnerability in the petition? They then chose to gather everyone’s attention onto Jane Fonda rather than address the issues? How can anyone argue with something so simple as “show both sides of the story?” Is there something to hide?
The truth rises to the top. Those who desire to live in that realm will recognize it. Those who do not will continue to fight amongst themselves.
jake
I think it’s sad to see anyone sign a pettition
against Israel’s Tel Aviv..a City that has endured many acts of terror from “Palestinians”.
Should we really call them outsiders, after all, most of them are influxes from neighbouring territories (Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Jordan).
I think It’s time to put these Land-Hungry propagandist in their place and show absolutely no mercy on any of their own created sufferings.
Adi
As an Israeli who is active against the occupation I want to thank you Jane and all the artists who signed the petition – we need the help of all people of conscious around the world to pressure our government to end the 42 years old occupation of Palestine, which is turning in to a de facto apartheid regime.
FMR
Dear Jane Fonda,
I am a practicing Jew in Germany (born in Jerusalem). I live with respect to the heritage passed on to me by my parents and relatives, trying to do my best to protect and further develop a spirit and culture, that is called “JEWISH” and is in harmony with the law expressed in the Ten Commandments, and the justice and the love expressed in Rabbi Hillel’s:
“That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn.”
I am writing this email, because the Palestinian Nakba caused by the Zionists all over and particularly the Israeli ones in the name of all Jews up to this very day, deeply hurts my and my friends conscious and our self understanding as Jews. I am writhing this email, in order to say:
THANK YOU JANE FONDA FOR TAKING A STAND.
Don’t let the get on you. Keep steadfast!
There is nothing left to do, but to join the Palestinian struggele for the end of the Israeli occupation, for freedom, for justice and for peace. THANK YOU AGAIN.
Merav
As a Jewish Israeli living in Israel I thank you for signing this letter. It is very important to get the support of high profile people like yourself in our efforts to expose the lies behind the Israeli propaganda. I care about my country and it hurts me to see what it has turned into. We need all the help we can get to save Israel from itself.
For Jewish Israelis it is very easy not to feel what their governments are doing and to think that all is well while the brutal occupation of Palestine continues. It will only change once the general public here starts feeling that we are paying a price for the occupation, and this is the purpose behind such initiatives.
So thank you again, and keep up the good work.
p.s. take a look at this website of the Coalition of Women for Peace in Israel: http://www.whoprofits.org
Zee
Jane,
You should get used to this sort of attack, it is called the Israel lobby. Anyone who dares to criticize Israel is viciously attacked by hawkish pro-Israel organizations. You name it, from Jimmy Carter, to Desmond Tuttu, Roger Waters, Ken Loach or Ilan Pappe.
The truth is that Israel is the country in the world that violates more UN resolutions, it denies to this day the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes from which they were expelled, illegally occupies Palestinian land and legally discriminates against its Palestinians citizens. This is not to speak of the war crimes committed in Gaza as documented by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch. All of this with unchallenged cover from our government including 4 billion dollars of military support per year.
I am only sad that Jane Fonda does not support a boycott of Israel. The boycott movement is ever growing, following on the movement that brought down the apartheid regime in South Africa.
You shouldn’t excuse yourself to the lobby. What is wrong, is wrong. And Israel is the powerful party in this conflict. You only need to look at the casualty figures and its actions. Palestinians, like all oppressed, have the right to resist.
Zee
Naama
Thank you Jane for the brave stance you have taken, only with help from outside will we ever manage to achieve the fundamental change we need in Israel/Palestine.
And the first step is speaking the truth and re branding Israel as the racist violent country it is, hard as it may be to admit it.
Hope you mange to stand your ground and others will join.
Lisa T
Ms Fonda
I use to be a fan of yours. I had no idea you supported a colonial project like Israel.
I find your tepid support of Palestinians insulting. The dead children of Lebanon & Palestine, their families, the refugees all victims of Zionist brutality and Zionist theft do not need your kind of 3rd rate support. Applauding their persecutors is unbelievably naieve at best and pure evil at worst.
You have zero knowledge of the facts. Saying that why don’t you publicly debate Palestine/Israel with renown Palestinian supporters. Anyone can support anything without knowledge but as you are so vocal of your support for this colonial state why not have your views publicly challenged? I would recommend you debate As’ad Abu Khalil professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus. Debate the facts please and let’s see what you know.
A Reader
Ms Fonda,
Your aspiration to help resolve the conflict is admirable, but I think you should give pause to the fact that your understanding could be so flawed that your good intentions don’t translate into good action–unintentionally.
For example, you write that you “traveled” to Lebanon with the Israeli army in 1981. I will forgive the chronology error (the invasion was in 1982) but I cannot forgive the claim that you “traveled” there. Can you honestly say that accompanying an invading army to an occupied country where civilians were being killed by the thousands, was merely a tourist act?
You might want to consider the fact that you “invaded” Lebanon with the Israeli army, because you certainly did not go there with the invitation of the Lebanese people, but rather, at the behest of the propaganda wing of the army that oppressed and occupied them. How dare you now pretend you were merely “traveling?”
Until you renounce your support for this savage Israeli war, it will be hard for Arabs in the United States and abroad to take your musings on this topic seriously. It is apparent, any way, by your post that you care more about Israeli reactions than the reactions of others.
Hayley
Your strength is very inspiring!
I am very glad there are people out there with the knowledge and the courage to stand up for they believe in.
cindy
In response to susan.
Jane fonda is the last person that should be
in a nursing home!!!!! i feel sorry for you,Susan, darling, that your so brainwashed by the mass media, your politics, and the great usa. you should get out of your small town someday and talk to some people who are really awake and open minded. we foreigners sometimes feel like we have walked into a daycare and have to explain about santa claus, not being real,
Wake up susan.. and smell the propaganda,,
and Jane , you go girl,, your one of kind..
ps dont get me wrong i love americans, but all your information comes form the same source,so your start to believe the lies
Sam
After reading your posting, this Jew thinks you should be part of any team next time that there are negotiations. Seriously.
Brandon
Cheers Jane! I am going to repost this on my blog.
Dee Thompson
I applaud you for being brave enough to jump into this controversy. The simple truth is that there will be no peace in Israel until both sides of the conflict agree to sit down together and really do what’s necessary.
I used to think there was no peace possible in Northern Ireland, and I was wrong. I pray there will be peace in the middle east one day.
My brother spent a year in Iraq, and came home safe, thank God. My perspective is colored by that.
Daphne Banai
DEar Jane
I am an Israeli. I love my country very much, but over the last years my country breaks my heart, over and over again. In the oppression of the Palestinian people ,the destruction of their economy, the dayly humiliation , and prevention of freedom, we bring upon ourselves rockets, and suicide bombing, (which I totally condem – but let’s face it – they stem from the Occupation). But the oppression would not continue one extra day if not the silent support of swinging Tel Aviv. Only 10 miles from hungry Palestine whose land is being stolen by the so-called “securuty Wall” but is the biggest theft operation of this century, stealing from the poor, from families that their olive tree are all they have to buy some bread, and 40 miles from Ghaza with the constant closure (why is it still going on – there are no more rockets flying) and our murdererous attacks. Tel Aviv is silent. Tel Aviv is dancing and partying as it is hearing the cries of anguish, as it sees the sights of hundreds of thousand worshiper , now during Ramadan prevented from going to Al aqsa (only above 50 are aloud), begging to go and pray for better days…
Tel aviv stands not isolated. Tel Aviv is part of the Occupation, of the starvation of the people of Ghaza, the murder of over 300 Palestinian kids in Ghaza.
So I, as a caring Israeli, say, THANK YOU, jANE, FOR TAKING A BRAVE STAND. THANK YOU FOR TRYING TO SAVE ISRAEL FROM THE WRONG TURN IT HAS TAKEN.
mANY OF US HERE IN ISRAEL LOVE YOU FOR IT.
Daphne Banai
Tel Aviv
Chris
Jane
I support what you have said in the past and now is no exception.
Those who criticize you are fools who can’t let go of the past. I have no sympathy for them at all.
Shows how many fair-weather fans there are.
Continue to stand up for what is right, even if you feel you may be standing alone.
All the love in the world
Chris
Oh, and that “susan” lady at the top is an idiot!
Karim from Morocco
Firstly I’d like to thank Jane Fonda for her courageous stand against the violation of the Israeli governments and for highlighting the inhumane military occupation that has kept natives born in the wrong religion in an open air prison for over 42 years.
Israel’s long term policy, like it was before its establishment in 1948, is to drive natives who are not Jewish out in order to secure a majority of Jewish citizens many of which were brought in from all the world and are not natives to the area. Israel’s sole requirement is that you are born in the right religion.
Security is a convenient excuse and a simplistic one that the Israeli PR machine uses to justify its apartheid-like policies and its violence against a poor defenseless native population who has already lost many of its native villages and homes.
The Israeli government provides tax benefits to its citizens (Jewish only) to encourage them to move to the occupied territories and to raise their children in a de-facto military zone run by the Israeli military occupation that oppresses the natives.
How can any reasonable person stand with this and not be disturbed by what is going on?
Is it fair that someone who was born and raised in New York is able to settle in Tel-Aviv because he was born in the right religion while a refugee who was born in a village destroyed by force to make place for Tel-Aviv is barred from returning because they were born in the wrong religion?
This is not fair and people needs to protest this injustice.
Although I don’t agree with all of what you said Ms Fonda (like “traveling” to Lebanon with the Israeli army which was accused of war crimes during its brutal invasion of the country that left tens of thousands of dead civilians), I’d like to thank you for your symbolic stand against injustice.
Sincerely.
Dr, Allan
Jane:
If there was a Palestinian group at the Toronto Film festival “rebranding” Gaza and Palestinian culture would you have had the same reaction in light of the numerous terrorist attacks committed by Hamas? I also undertand the importance of recognizing both parties’ suffering but why do you condemn Israel for her actions in Gaza without also recognizing that the actions were OUT OF SELF DEFENCE from continuous rocket attacks on innocent civillians. Would you expect the USA government to remain silent if Southern California was attacked every day from Mexico? Finally as an actress don’t you think you should separate culture from politics?
Roni M
Hi Jane, I am as usual quite disappointed in the fact that people who do not know what is actually going on get involved in business that has nothing to do with them. I too wish for peace in the Middle East but it can only happen when both sides are willing. Everyone is so quick to condem Israel for standing up for herself and fighting to protect her people. But nobody says anything when it is the other way around. Where were you and all your wonderful other “artists” when the suicide bombers were blowing up buses and hotels and killing innocent people in Israel and other countries. They killed Americans too, you know! Did any of you stand up and condem the Hamas or whoever took credit for it. Israelis do not dance in the street when there is a death in the Gaza, but the Hamas danced in the streets during the Sept 11th World Trade attacks. Did you all forget that? I feel sorry for the Palestinians who want peace but cannot because they are threatened by the Hamas. They are the poor civilians who are killed because the Hamas hides in their schools and homes. Does that not describe a coward to you? They kill their own wives and daughters and strap bombs on their children and then pretend to cry when something happens to get the sympathy of idiots around the world. I live in Canada and they do it here too. We have on going issues where they have killed their daughters here for being too Western. Is that what you want for your daughters, because believe me that time will come. So next time you decide to condem something please know all your facts.
ahti salonen
Jane, You really are a brave woman. Your advocacy for the weak and the oppressed Palestinians, for the truth; in face of vitriolic hostility is a work for Jesus. I’m proud of you girl. Regards, ahti
earthkeeper
Don’t get me started on this subject……….
What the H were they thinking blowing away Lebanon? Those poor people one step forward one step back. The whole thing was SO Outrageous.
ENOUGH OF THIS EYE FOR AN EYE BULL-SH-T!
Snap out of it people! You’ve got a President of peace Barak Obama to work with let’s get the PEACE TIME HAPPENING. Bury the damn hatchet!
Jane keep speaking the truth. I’m so fed up with these power mongers. Why does the U.S. support countries in such an imbalanced way? No wonder the other countries are ticked off.
Keeping the Peace,
earthkeepa
David
To Jane et. al, In the last year I have learneed the following – If Israel leaves Gaza, and there are no Israelis, no soldiers, and no Jewish presence of any kind – Hamas will demand Israelis to leave all of Israel by use of force – daily barrage of rockets. And the people protesting against TIFF are never heard protesting Hamas’s daily violence. If Hamas kidnaps an Israeli soldier and then violates all Geneva convention protocols then the people protesting against TIFF are never heard protesting to the Red Cross, the UN, to their governments to protest their concern over the treatment of prisoners of war ! When a past Israeli prime minister attempts to talk at a Canadian University and is told by the University that they cannot guarantee his safety due to certain groups on campus, then there is no outcry by the above group against a loss of freedom of speech. When York University has a public seminar to discuss “a one state solution” and does not allow outsiders from the media to attend – there is still no protest for a loss of freedom of speech ! But if the president of Iran is invited to speak at an American University – and some protest to not allow him to speak – then it is a violation of freedom of speech in the US to disinvite him. Why is it that when Jewish people go to purchase wine for Passover they have to go through a protest in Toronto – organized/associated by some of the same people listed above – because all Israeli wine is to be boycotted. Why is it when certain countries media spread blood libels there is no protest by writers, artists, actors, etc – does the recent Swedish false article, television programs shown in Arab countries, etc. come to mind ! The lack of response , letters, protests, by the protesters against TIFF in all of the above situations is deafening. And now Tel Aviv turns 100 years old, is chosen for City to City. And why was it chosen ? TIFF co-director Cameron Bailey notes, “We chose Tel Aviv to kick this series off because its filmmaking is at a real high point right now and because the films reflect the city’s diversity and complexity in a way we think will strike a chord in Toronto.”
“Co-programmer Kate Lawrie Van de Ven adds, “The works are provocatively diverse, and they simultaneously connect with approaches to narrative that we are seeing in other global cities while constantly tying their stories back to Tel Aviv concerns.”
The 10 selected titles illustrate the city’s evolving urban experience. Providing context is ambitious two-part docu “A History of Israeli Cinema.” Covering the years 1932-2005, it considers the difficulty of creating a national cinematographic identity in a country of many languages and cultures.”
So the reason you are protesting is not a boycott of Israel !?! Right !
jim shan
it’s hilarious to see how much backlash Fonda is experiencing considering how apologetic she is to Israel and its acitons
Pingback: The Day In Israel: Fri Sept 11th, 2009 : Israellycool
Jaysonrex
Surrounded by 1.5 BILLION enemies, it does not take much to hurt a speck of a country with less than six million people. And it does not require much effort either. Everybody knows the highly inconvenient truth about the never-ending conflict in Cisjordan but few are willing to admit it. After all, it might upset the Arabs, something the politically correct cohorts will never dare to do; they pin their hopes on enrolling these Arabs one day as a viable replacement for the proletariat that seems to have disappeared after the implosion of the Soviet Union.
Most everyone in the West is sick and tired of individuals like Jimmy ‘the Dhimmy’ Carter (the same one the American nation kicked out of office for incompetence and cowardice under fire) who is trying to save his tattered legacy by negotiating (as a parallel government would) with Hezbollah, Hamas and other terrorist organizations while trying hard to undermine Israel at every turn possible. What a legacy!
I am sure that you are not that type of person, not after reading “My life so far” and understanding how honestly motivated your actions are. On the other hand, claiming that you did not call for the boycott of the Toronto film festival does not alter the effect that the signed statements has on us all. And this, quite frankly, is not fair. Not at all.
Roni M
So tell me Jane, are you going to comment against the rockets fired yesterday from Lebanon to Israel? Or is that okay? You and all your fellow artists were so quick in protesting against Israel. Are you going to vocally protest this too so that we know that you are not one-sided in your opinions. People who constantly say they “love” a people usually are defending an action that puts them into a bad light. If you do not live their lives, butt out. Spend your energy on protesting the way women are treated in other countries. They have no freedom, have to be totally covered and are at their husbands mercies. Fight that fight because if you and others don’t that is the lifestyle your granddaughters can expect to live.
nirmala heriza
Reading through the voluminous responses your post has compelled so far, it’s still amazes me how you’re able to remain a constant compassionate center of focus and lightening rod for hotbed issues like this one. One that incites such sincere, intensely conflicting feelings and opinions. The dialogue you’ve opened to facilitate them is riveting. It’s an immense service. Thank you again for your vantage point and strength.
With love and respect
Nirmala
Kelsey
Jane,
I’ve been reading some of these comments, good and bad on this blog. The bad is driving me crazy. There are people calling each other names, what is this? Highschool? Let me just say, I know its not easy for you to keep up with these rumors. I hope you’re not feeling like you have done something wrong. I don’t think some of these people are even fully reading your blog OR have any understanding of who you are. Forget them. I can see many, many people right here that are on your side. Don’t let the negative get you down. I wouldn’t even bother with their comments. Its not even worth it. You have plenty of support anyway. Please know that! At the risk of myself getting called some name, i’m on your side!
Sherri
First off politically both sides have been wrong and right and I do beleive in a 2 state solution and hope that it will come one day soon. However poitics aside this is about the Toronto film festival that celebrates art not politics.
Politics are for government and elected leaders to handle, not artists.
Your stance on using the gaza war as an excuse to not celebrate Tel Aviv is a farce in my opinion. If this is what you stand by it’s your right to, however my stance then would be to remove all US made films due to their countrys’ continued wars/occupation in Afgan and Iraq. But common sense says that is is not right to punish all americans and american filmakers for something their elected officials have perpetrated. So why is it not the same for Israeli’s?
You say by signing this petition it was not against the films but it does affect them. With all of this media it can make people question seeing these beautiful pieces of art because they have ‘boycott israel’ in mind. In my papers, yes I’m from Toronto, journalists are writing that they hope the hype of this petition doesn’t deter people from seeing the films. However I tried to get tickets to 2 of the films and they are sold out. I’m thankful this hasn’t hurt the films exposure but maybe, just maybe it heightened it a bit to make movie goers think “hmmm i’ve got to see these films to see what all the hype is about”. Good on them, one point canadians 0 points protesters.
In any case the choice of TIFF to have the city to city movies from Tel Aviv, which just celebrated it’s 100th birthday is a celebration of movies about Tel Aviv life and the struggles of that life. Not war, not politics, not government. I think it’s great and when one day a Palestinan state is born and they are chosen for a city to city screeing then I will also think it’s great because I love art from all facets and forms, especially foreign films that shed light on lives and worlds’ that I want to learn more about.
This is Toronto, Ontario, Canada we are an open society with many wonderful cultures and we celebrate these cultures every year in forms of many events and festivals in all of our cities. Please take the petition along with your fellow artists and protest somewhere else, canadians can’t be bothered.
Ronnie
This is not brave Ms. Fonda, condemning Tel Aviv a city who endured atrocities committed before the declaration of independence and after by Muslim Arabs. They were told that after the declaration of the Jewish state they can all come back and take what they want, since it didn’t count. Well 1948 war they lost. 1966 they instigated a war and lost, 1973 they converge back on Israel and lost again and the list goes on.
They Palestinian amendment never will admit to Israel right to be there and it will go on. I wonder when you visited Israel have you notice that Israeli always sing and yearn for peace while the other side calls for destruction?
La Belle Shabine
I just want to say thank you for all you do. It takes alot of courage and coolness to make a stand like this.I am very proud of you and John Greyson and everyone who has stood up.
ann
I was shocked to read that several people offered as an excuse for Israel to steal Palestinian territory that this has happened before in history. In particular, they mentioned the near extermination of the Native Americans and the enslavement of the Africans. Humans have come a long way from their barbaric times. Please do not attempt to bring us back to the cave.
Chris
People Have the Power!
bill
When will Jane, and all the others, protest productions that seek to positively portray Palestinians? Afterall, Palestinians are not innocent bystanders in this issue…..right Jane?
Tell us again that you love Israel, all the while feeling Israel is, in your words, “war-like”……
Your ego is silly big…..
Sheila
Jane,
Thank you for continuing to speak truth to power. The only brand worth marketing is one that is based on peace and on remembering that we are all related and always have been. We should be willing to give up anything rather than harm another.
You mentioned that one of your father’s legacies to you was the importance of speaking truth to power. He’s proud of you, again.
Sheila
sam
thank you jane for your support for israel they are still gods people god will bless those that bless israel and pray for the peace of jerusalem
hubbell smith
Thank you!
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