Following the public uproar: the event for the launch of the book 'Epirogon' was moved from Beit Hagafen to another location

(haipo) - The event for the launch of the book 'Epirogon' will not take place at Beit Hagafen and will move to another (private) location. This follows a public uproar that arose around the event taking place in a municipal facility of the Haifa Municipality.
According to the opponents, this book creates symmetry between bereaved families in Israel and Palestinian society. According to the protestors, it is not possible to create symmetry between families affected by the terrorist acts of terrorists and families affected by the legitimate activities of IDF soldiers.

The event was supposed to take place at "Beit Hagafen" in Haifa, at the initiative of the "Israeli-Palestinian Bereaved Families Forum". After a large number of requests from residents and various parties, the event was canceled, or to be precise - moved from Beit Hagafen to another location.

The book 'Apirogon' by the Irish writer Colum McCann, presents a plot that deals with two fathers who lost their daughters against the background of the "Israeli-Palestinian conflict", and apparently creates a "symmetry" between IDF soldiers and terrorists. Since then, the invitations for the launch of the book have been published , a great uproar arose among residents and organizations who claimed that it was meant to harm them and the IDF soldiers.

As mentioned, the event was supposed to take place at the "Beit Hagafen - Jewish Arab Cultural Center" in Haifa, a municipal corporation financed by residents' funds.

This is not the first time that "Beit Hagafen" hosts events of this kind in the shadow of its roof, dealing with controversial issues surrounding the "conflict", events that outrage many residents of Haifa and the State of Israel in general.
Still, this time the dimensions of the storm were particularly large.

With the first publications, about two weeks ago, Shai Glick, CEO of the "Betzalmo" organization, appealed to the mayor of Haifa and the Ministry of Culture, demanding to cancel the event at Beit Hagafen:
"These days, when we are burying martyrs of Israeli heroes every day who fell in the battles in Gaza in order to protect the State of Israel, this despicable forum (forum of the bereaved families) dares to compare terrorists with IDF soldiers.

Five days after the massacre of October 7, the forum chose a laconic condemnation message according to which it condemns killing on both sides. It is not possible that Beit Hafen will continue to stand by the enemy, and even more so during a war."

"I demand for the millionth time to immediately oust the CEO of Beit Hagafen Assaf Ron, who proves time and time again that his place is al-Midan 2. A new management should be brought in - a Zionist and moral one who is proud of the country and the soldiers of the IDF. I demand that Mayor Einat Kalish Rotem cancel the the event and hold in its place a salute to the IDF soldiers and reservists who returned from fighting in the north and south. As long as the event is not canceled, I undertake to come with members of bereaved families and reservists and prevent the event from happening in our bodies. The despicable forum and Beit Hagafen will not be allowed to stir up a discourse of hatred, incitement and evil in Haifa again. The residents of the city are proud of the IDF soldiers, and we saw it in the demonstration on Shabbat when only a few Haifaites participated in it and demonstrated against the IDF soldiers. It is not possible for a person who calls for IDF soldiers to be brought to justice in The Hague and calls for IDF soldiers to be imprisoned to give a publicly funded speech."

The IDF Disabled People's Organization and the families of the victims of the March 37, 2003 bus attack were also among those protesting the event and felt hurt by the very intention of holding it and rushed to send letters to the mayor to cancel it.

Letter from the IDF Disabled Organization to Klish Rotem - for your reference:

A letter from the families of the victims of the bus 37 attack in Haifa - for your reference:

"The event will be postponed"

On Tuesday (6/2/24) an announcement was made on behalf of the Haifa municipality, according to which after discussing the issue and in coordination with Beit Hagafen, the event will be postponed. The Haifa Municipality also stated that for several months an examination has been taking place by the legal service regarding the correctness of the corporation's activities, this also regardless of the content of the event in question and the political issues arising from its activities.

In light of the municipality's decision, the Mousava Center in Haifa will eventually host the book's launch event.

The launch of the book "Afirogon" has been moved ► Watch

"Cancelling a book launch event is a shame"

Immediately after the Haifa municipality's announcement that it was decided not to allow the event to be held at Beit Hagafen, Jafar Farah, director of the Masuava Center, said that he had no hesitation at all whether to host the event or not: "Following the puzzling decision of the Haifa municipality, we were contacted from the November edition and they asked us to host the book launch. We have also hosted them in the past at other events, so it was only natural for us.

We think canceling a book launch event is a shame. We will lend a shoulder, we will help the publisher to do the launch and we will avoid suppression of freedom of expression in Haifa. Without going into the content of the things, it is inappropriate for the Haifa municipality to interfere in the launch of a book, even if it does not agree with its content," he emphasized

"With the book, you have to insist that the municipality does not cancel a book launch event," Farah said, "There is a lot of buzz in the WhatsApp groups from people who say they intend to come to the event. I hope the hall will be able to accommodate everyone. If necessary, we will also make sure to broadcast the event, in addition For people who will see it in the hall. I see a lot of interest in the book. The event will take place on the same date it was supposed to take place, 15/02/24."

"It won't end until we talk - and we will talk"

In response to the Haifa Municipality's announcement, the "Israeli-Palestinian Bereaved Families Forum" thanked Beit Hagafen for its support in the fight for freedom of speech: "We are sure that the cooperation will continue in the future and we will hold more events to promote peace. We are sorry for the decision of the Haifa Municipality and the pressure exerted by organizations Instigators of hatred, strife and war On the other hand, we note that great pressure was exerted on the part of the residents of Haifa and the surrounding area to hold the event and the wave of support from citizens moves us and warms our hearts.
The members of the forum call for dialogue, reconciliation, mutual listening and peace precisely in these complex days. We will not stop, we will not let up and we will not stop. It won't end until we talk and we will talk. Therefore, the event will take place on time, at the Moussava Center in Haifa."

"Remove the management of Beit Hagafen and bring in a management that is committed to the law and the values ​​of the state"

Shay Glick from "Bezalmo" said after the municipality's announcement: "It was not for nothing that the starling went to the crow. The event taking place in the extreme place, the Masava Center - which works to encourage refusal to enlist in the IDF, proves exactly what the purpose of the event is - extremism and hatred against the State of Israel and the IDF soldiers ".

"At the same time," added Glick, "I welcome the announcement by the mayor of Haifa, which will stop the illegal conduct of the 'Beit Hagen' corporation. 'Beit Hagen' must act according to the law. It is necessary to remove the management and bring in a management that is committed to the law and the values ​​of the State of Israel. "

"It is not possible for us to be dragged every time after a handful of extreme instigators"

The chairman of the Likud branch in Haifa, Yaniv Ben Shoshan, welcomed the cancellation of the event at Beit Hagafen, but at the same time added: "It is not possible that we will be dragged after a handful of delusional and crazy extremists every time. I call on everyone to strengthen the Likud faction in the upcoming elections and pledge that as soon as we are elected, we will make a coup in the field of culture in the city and any inflammatory event under the guise of culture and art will be removed from the city. Beit Hagafen will once again be a place for the residents of the city and not for a handful of extremist instigators from Balad and Hadash, supporters of Hamas and Hezbollah."

"Congratulations to the relevant parties who reached the right decision"

Attorney Dror Ohana, representative of Otzma Yehudit in Haifa, said: "What was is not what will be." I congratulate the relevant officials in the municipality who reached the right decision on postponing the shameful event that was planned to take place in Beit Hafen. We will continue to stand for our national honor and the honor of our warriors, those who are fighting now and those who have fallen in defense of the homeland. I hope that the postponement is not temporary but rather a complete cancellation of the event and an understanding that such shameful events will not take place in the future in Haifa in particular and in our beloved country in general.

CEO of Beit Hagafen, Assaf Ron

The CEO of Beit Hagafen Asaf Ron said: We are subject to the guidelines of the Haifa municipality's legal advice. We will continue to act as always to promote common life in the city and hold cultural events.