“Scandalous decisions”: Edelstein opposes Huldai’s decision to open cultural institutions

Ron Huldai, mayor of Tel Aviv and chairman of the Israeli party, said this morning (Sunday) that the municipality intends to open the city’s cultural halls in 10 days.

“There is a large crowd of vaccinated people with green passports – there is no reason why those who are vaccinated will not be able to get to the Cameri,” he said in an interview with the Kalman-Lieberman program here on Monday. “It is impossible to wait for Netanyahu to open it the day before the election.”

In a post he posted on his social media pages, Huldai wrote that anyone who has received two doses of vaccines can enter the city’s cultural institutions: “We will not wait for Bibi-Gantz’s government, which knows how to manage nothing. For us, it is deeds and talk. At press conferences. “

Senior figures in the world of culture have raised an eyebrow at Huldai’s call, which they say is a violation of the law in the country, and on the other hand there were those who welcomed it, as the world of culture is finally entering the public discourse, even if it is part of an election campaign.

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein attacked Huldai’s decision: “He is doing politics at the expense of public health. The public is important to him. “

In response to Huldai’s announcement, Culture and Sports Minister Hili Trooper responded: “As we announced last week, the world of culture is about to open first with the ‘Culture in Responsibility’ outline and the green passport that includes vaccinated, recovering and being tested. I am happy for any other public figure who chooses to miraculously emphasize the importance of culture, but it should not be for election purposes but from a responsible perspective. “True, when it comes to statehood and health, I suggest everyone put populism aside.”

“For many weeks now, the Ministry of Culture and the directors of Israeli cultural institutions and creators have been building the orderly outline for opening up the world of culture, in Tel Aviv and throughout the country, and I am glad that it will be implemented in the near future. “We will continue to take care of the health of those who come to the shows. We will continue to engage in action, injecting hundreds of millions of shekels into cultural institutions, in their responsible and safe opening. Anyone who wants to be a part of the process seriously is welcome.”

Tomer Moore, CEO of Strong Restaurants together and a member of the Israel Chamber of Commerce Forum: “Huldai only points out the obvious – the closure, in fact, does not exist and the price of destroying restaurants and culture is simply not worth it. Even if the closure is extended, its damage should be reduced by taking the takeaway approval and sitting outside immediately. Every day when the restaurants are closed, the loss stands at tens of millions of shekels that can move the economy and prevent restaurant collapses, along with the fact that the percentage of infection in restaurants according to data from the Ministry of Health is zero. “I call on the decision-makers to open the takeaway and approve an external meeting immediately, and then approve a return to the public benefit and for the business owners in the restaurant industry, a third of which has already been deleted.”

Habima Theater in Tel Aviv, last year // Photo: Gideon Markovich

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