JERUSALEM — Israel’s polarizing culture minister is pushing regulations that would allow her to fine cultural institutions that refuse to perform in West Bank settlements.
Miri Regev’s office said Wednesday she opposes boycotts and supports “cultural justice” for all of Israel.
Regev has had a fraught relationship with the cultural community since her appointment last year. She’s been accused of attempting to bring Israeli artists in line with her political ideology.
She has vowed to press ahead with legislation that would allow her to determine which cultural institutions and projects could be denied funding based on criteria that include denigrating the national flag, denying Israel’s existence as a Jewish and democratic state, or promoting Israel’s independence day as a day of mourning. Much of those criteria would affect left-leaning or Arab institutions.