Ben Russell (l.) and Servan Decle (r.) wear Palestinian scarves in protest against Israel’s policies at the closing gala in the Berlinale Palast.
Photo: Monika Skolimowska/dpa
During the Berlinale awards ceremony on Saturday evening, several filmmakers commented on the Gaza war in a way that caused criticism. According to critics, what was particularly striking was that those involved made one-sided accusations against Israel without mentioning the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023. Numerous jury members and award winners called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war verbally or with badges. At the end of his acceptance speech, the American director Ben Russell spoke of a genocide.
Screenshots from the account of the Panorama section of the Berlinale were circulating on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday. One photo showed the slogan “Free Palestine – From the River to the Sea,” meaning there should be a free Palestine on an area from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean give – i.e. where Israel is now. The Berlinale has distanced itself from the anti-Israel Instagram post about the Middle East conflict. “The Panorama’s Instagram channel was hacked today and statements about the Middle East war were posted that did not come from the festival and do not represent the attitude of the Berlinale,” the Berlinale told the German Press Agency on Sunday evening. “The fact that someone is misusing a Berlinale social media channel for anti-Semitic agitation is unbearable.” The posts were immediately deleted and an investigation is being carried out into how the incident could have happened. A criminal complaint was filed.
Israel’s ambassador to Germany has made strong accusations against the “German cultural scene.” “Anti-Semitic and anti-Israel statements” were met with thunderous applause, wrote Ron Prosor on Under the guise of freedom of speech and art, anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric is celebrated.” The German cultural scene is rolling out the red carpet “exclusively for artists” who are committed to “delegitimizing Israel.” Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens) has also announced an investigation into the incidents, which she called “unacceptable.” At the same time, she said: “But I would like to emphasize very clearly that the artistic freedom and independence of the Berlinale must not be compromised.” The director of the Anne Frank educational institution, Meron Mendel, warned: “Whether we like it or not, we have to learn to endure such debates. It won’t work any other way. A culture of prohibition like the one in the debate about an anti-discrimination clause in Berlin and attempts to regulate all of this by politicians don’t work.”dpa/nd
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