The show will go on: Hamilton theatre reverses decision to cancel film critical of Israel

by Samantha Beattie, CBC News

The Westdale cinema's board apologizes for cancelling the screening of Israelism

A Hamilton community theatre has apologized and reversed its decisions to cancel the screening of a film critical of Israel.

The Westdale is an independent cinema in Hamilton. (Samantha Beattie/CBC)caption

The documentary Israelism will play at The Westdale on Dec. 6, as originally planned, said a statement from the Westdale Cinema Group's board of directors Friday.

"After careful review, we determined that there was no credible evidence that the screening would cause harm to anyone in our community," the statement said. "We also acknowledge that the screening of this film was important to many in our community."

The board said it had missed some "important voices and context" when deciding to cancel the event, which had been scheduled months in advance, included an in-person discussion with the film's director and had already sold 200 tickets.

• Hamilton theatre cancels film critical of Israel, board says it's the wrong time to 'court controversy'

The board's chair, Fred Fuchs, told CBC Hamilton Wednesday they'd cancelled the event after hearing from some members of the local Jewish community. The Hamilton Jewish Foundation, for example, said the event would "spread more hate" and "inflame" an already difficult situation.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has exposed tensions between communities across Canada, sparking demonstrations and a rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic threats. The war began on Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages, dozens of which have been released in recent days.

Israel invaded Gaza in retaliation and the bombardment has killed more than 15,000 Gazans, according to health authorities in the Palestinian enclave.

Film director pushed back at cancellation

The Hamilton group that organized the event, Independent Jewish Voices (IJV), and Israelism's director Erin Axelman had pushed back against the cancellation, saying the theatre was failing in its mission to encourage using art to explore differences and include diverse voices.

Israelism was released in February, co-directed by Axelman and Sam Eilertsen. It follows two American Jews raised to "unconditionally love" Israel but who are confronted with "the brutal way Israel treats Palestinians," according to the film's description.

"Israelism uniquely explores how Jewish attitudes toward Israel are changing dramatically, with massive consequences for the region and Judaism itself," it says.

The board, on Friday, said it had "belatedly" reached the same conclusion and "screening a film that deals with a controversial topic is core to that mandate."

Hamilton Rabbi David Mivasair, member of Independent Jewish Voices, helped organize the event. (David Mivasair)

David Mivasair, a Hamilton Rabbi and member of IJV, said in an email he deeply appreciates that board's willingness to reconsider its decision. He's a controversial voice in the Jewish community and has been outspoken against Israel.

"In our Jewish religious tradition, we learn that teshuvah — the willingness to be open to reflecting on our own actions in this world and changing them if necessary — is one of the keys to hope for making this world a better place," Mivasair said.

"Not being locked into mistakes that we've made, but rather being able to change is fundamental to human progress. I sincerely think the board of The Westdale has exemplified this virtue."