Headlines and Deadlines Blog
The arts have historically served as a powerful tool in shaping a culture, but the Toronto Palestine Film Festival appears to have a specific goal in mind: “using the arts to demonize the State of Israel”. According to Christine Williams of the Gatestone Institute, “the Sixth Annual Toronto Palestine Film Festival (TPFF) opened on Saturday September 28th, on the heels of the renowned Toronto International Film Festival . Although described as “dedicated to bringing Palestinian cinema, live musical performances, cuisine and art to audiences,” it is more accurately a propaganda fest that promotes Palestinian victimhood and paints Israel as a criminal. The event is promoted by the Canadian Arab Federation, which has been condemned by the Canadian government for its support of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
The TPFF was founded in 2008 as a tribute to the 60th anniversary of Al-Nakba, or “Day of Catastrophe,” as the Palestinians call it, to commemorate May 15th, the day after Israel’s Declaration of Independence in 1948.
One publication referred to the festival as a collection of stories that depict the “occupier” as inhumane, deceitful and brutal, while Palestinians develop “funding and talent,” and the courage and determination to fight for survival.
This festival is perhaps inspired by the continued official incitement of Palestinians against Israel by the Palestinian Authority, which likewise depicts Israelis as inhumane and the murderers of Israeli innocents as “martyrs”. Rather than use art to inspire peace, the festival shares the political goals of the Palestinian leadership, which is the demonization of the world’s only Jewish state.
Source:
http://www.honestreporting.ca/toronto-palestine-film-festival-uses-arts-to-demonize-israel/12788