- January 3, 2025
- 1:03 am
- Israel
Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar was not allowed to speak at the opening ceremony of the 40th Haifa International Film Festival. When he took the stage, the audience greeted him with shouts and whistles, which only stopped after he left.
Appearing on stage, Zohar said that he was ready for protests, understands the reasons for the discontent and believes that it is justified. On January 2, 2025, he is known to have stated:
“I understand and accept this. The pain of all Israeli citizens is justified, and we must do everything to bring our abducted home… I love you and hug you because the people of Israel need unity. The people of Israel must stop this unnecessary division. I will do everything to heal the wounds in the country.”
Protesters demanded the return of the hostages and demanded the resignation of Sports Minister and President Isaac Herzog, who also attended the ceremony and was booed.
At the end of the event, the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award was announced in tribute to Peninna Blair, the festival's founder, who died in the summer of 2025. The award was presented to the Blair family, and director Avi Nesher gave a speech in her honor. The film “Seed of the Sacred Fig Tree” by Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof was screened, which tells the story of a judge handing down death sentences after political unrest in Tehran.
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