The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is allowing virulently anti-Israel groups to present a film there that canonizes Rachel Corrie. The groups include the Jewish Voice for Peace and the American Friends Service Committee, which both call for divestment from Israel and love to participate in rallies that equate Zionism with Nazism. Cindy Corrie, fervent ISM supporter, will be speaking there as well.
And the San Francisco Jewish Federation continues to fund this festival.
The SFJFF justifies this event with the usual ultra-liberal platitudes that the film looks at all viewpoints, that it must present all sides of a story, blah blah blah. Demonizing Israel is not even trendy anymore in SF; it is de rigueur.
(I find it ironic that a Jewish film festival is scheduled during the Nine Days of mourning for the destruction of the Temples, when attending movies is highly inappropriate for religious Jews. And the Rachel Corrie video is being shown on Shabbat!)
If I would have known about this a few months ago, I would have submitted my own Rachel Corrie film to be screened. After all, it is controversial (banned by YouTube!) , at least as accurate, and almost certainly far more entertaining. If they want to be cutting edge and controversial, my film would fit the bill much more than another tired Israel-bashing fest.
Details about the problems at the festival and who you can contact can be found here.
