Instead of Pixies
Photo: Getty Images Image Bank
In support of Israel. Culture Minister Limor Livnat
Photo: BauBau
Gov't plans mass 'morale lifting' concert
Culture Ministry, Tel Aviv City Hall organizing voluntary show meant to cheer up public following cancellation of foreign artists' performances
The international hostility toward Israel following the Gaza flotilla incident, along with the cancellation of many performances by foreign artists, prompted the government to organize a morale-lifting concert in Tel Aviv.
Ynet learned that the Culture Ministry and Tel Aviv City Hall were planning a massive concert meant to lift the national morale following the harsh consequences of the flotilla incident.
Response
Shuki Weiss, promoter of Pixies concert which was called off at last minute, says 'artists are under huge pressure by Arab elements to boycott Israel, including threatening letters and commercial sanctions'
According to the plan, the concert will be open to the general public and the participating artists will perform voluntarily.However, the large production is estimated to cost the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of shekels,
and possibly millions.
The initiative has already drawn criticism from Member of Knesset and former Tel Aviv mayoral candidate Dov Khenin, who told Ynet, "The problem of the public morale shows that the Israeli public, unlike its leadership, did not lose touch with reality."
"Of course, I welcome any cultural event open to the public, but the true way to boost morale is not by blurring the situation via 'entertainment for the masses,' but by dealing with the issues," Khenin added.
The Science, Culture and Sports Ministry issued a statement saying, "Following the recent international attack on Israel, which led to the cancellation of various performances by artists from abroad, the Culture Ministry and Tel Aviv City Hall decided to initiate a voluntary concert of Israeli artists in support of the State of Israel."
