An exhibition of political cartoons, centered on the exemption of the ultra-Orthodox from military service, was vandalized on Monday, one day ago. This incident occurred just before the opening of the Animix International Animation, Cartoon and Comics Festival at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque. The festival, which began on Tuesday, traditionally uses animation and political cartoons to address significant social issues within Israeli society.
One of the featured exhibitions this year, titled The Black Army, specifically highlights haredi opposition to military conscription. It includes works from many of Israel’s leading cartoonists, bringing a contentious internal debate to public view.
Internal Divisions
During the installation of the exhibition in the plaza outside the Tel Aviv Cinematheque on Monday, a young man wearing a kippah confronted organizers and Tel Aviv Cinematheque CEO Tomer Cohen. He reportedly tore down and damaged parts of the display. The individual then attempted to flee the scene.
Festival staff and Cohen pursued the suspect for approximately an hour. They were waiting for police to arrive, but officers only appeared after the man had already escaped in a taxi. This delay allowed the alleged vandal to evade immediate accountability for the damage.
Organizers worked quickly to restore the damaged exhibition. It opened as scheduled on Tuesday, demonstrating a resolve against the act of suppression. The exhibition is set to run until August 8, in 3 days.
Nissim (Nusko) Hezkiyahu, Animix artistic director, stated that this marks the first time such an incident has occurred in the festival’s 26-year history. He emphasized that the festival has consistently addressed social and political issues. Hezkiyahu added that military conscription stands as the most divisive issue in Israeli society today.
The State's Military
Hezkiyahu expressed regret that extremists are attempting to undermine freedom of expression. However, he affirmed that this act will not deter the festival. On the contrary, he believes it only underscores the exhibition's importance. He warned that such incidents often begin with one extremist who cannot tolerate free expression and illustration, and from there, they can escalate.
Fortunately, the festival team was already repairing the exhibition, ensuring its planned opening. Hezkiyahu extended an invitation to everyone to attend, directly addressing the vandals with a firm, "Vandals, we’ve had enough of you." This public defiance highlights the ongoing struggle for open discourse within the state.
Several cartoonists whose work is featured in the exhibit responded to the vandalism by drawing new cartoons. One depicted Moses asking, “Don’t they teach this commandment at yeshivas?” while holding a tablet inscribed with, “Thou shalt not vandalize cartoons.” Another response cartoon showed numerous people attending Animix, with a haredi man remarking, “We should be charging.” These artistic retorts underscore the deep-seated disagreements surrounding military service and its exemptions within Israeli society.