Stéphane Libs, manager of the Star cinemas, announced on September 6 that the cancellation of the Shaloma Europa festival in the Alsatian capital was the result of “pressure” exerted by pro-Palestinian groups. The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France Alsace and Jeanne Barseghian, the mayor of the city, support this accusation.
The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF) Alsace denounced on Sunday a “intellectual terrorism”after the cancellation of the Israeli film festival Shalom Europa amid pressure from pro-Palestinian groups.
In a press release entitled “No to intellectual terrorism and the creation of a climate of fear and hatred in Strasbourg!”the Crif Alsace deplores that “The pressure, intimidation and threats on the Star cinema and its staff (have) got the better of the Israeli film festival cancelled by the operator after 15 years of programming”.
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“We do not accept the totalitarian methods of small groups that seek to deny Israel the right to exist, its citizens and its artists the right to express themselves.”writes the Crif Alsace.
Stéphane Libs, manager of the Star cinemas, announced on Friday that the festival, which was to be held from September 8 to 10 in Strasbourg, had been cancelled, denouncing a «pression» exercised by pro-Palestinian collectives. “The decision to cancel was taken so as not to add violence to the tense context and to protect employees and the public.”he explained.
Several pro-Palestinian groups had called for the cancellation of the festival, which was initially scheduled to take place in June and had already been postponed amid tensions linked to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The war waged by Israel in the Gaza Strip against Hamas in retaliation for the unprecedented attack carried out by this Palestinian terrorist movement on October 7, 2023, is causing heated debate in many countries. “Shame on these French associations who are doing censorship work worthy of authoritarian regimes and who are exploiting the tragedy unfolding in the Middle East to give free rein to their hatred.”denounces the Crif Alsace.
The association calls “local authorities to replace the festival partner, as well as state services to do everything possible to ensure that this festival can take place and thwart this censorship”.
The Green mayor of Strasbourg, Jeanne Barseghian, judged on Saturday September 7 “unacceptable” THE “threats and pressures weighing on the festival and its partner cinema”. She assured to be “in conjunction with the organizers of Shalom Europa to reschedule as soon as possible this festival which, like many cultural events, allows the city’s residents to have access to cinema in all its diversity”.
