Letter to the Editor: Laura Kurlander-Nagel

To the Editor,

David and Helen Zalik’s criticism of the Film Festival and the Israeli Consulate’s decision to pull funding is dangerous for the Jewish community and Israel.
America today is divided by the extreme right and left. Likewise, the BDS/anti-Zionist and blind allegiance to Israel schools of thought are polarizing Jews. Being critical of the Israeli government does not make you pro-Hamas or anti-Israel. I am a Zionist, but I don’t think the unconditional support of Israel is helping any of us when antisemitism is at an all-time high.
The AJC’s mission is to build bridges between individuals and organizations to ensure that Jews and Israel are safe and thriving. The Film Festival does this through film. I believe that having a young Muslim on the jury who supports the Palestinians allows us to demonstrate to both that juror and his peers that Jews are tolerant, intelligent, and willing to engage in difficult conversations. By condemning a young person for his beliefs without conversation, we are further alienating both this juror as well as many young Americans who oppose the existence of the State of Israel.
We must engage in dialogue in order to allow them to truly understand why the existence of Israel is so important for Jews around the world.
The Zaliks also claimed that the Film Festival platformed this juror. This juror was not platformed. The juror’s name was listed in the program but not named by the AJC after the controversy. If my information is correct, the juror truly appreciated the opportunity to work with a Jewish organization. I believe that the actions of the Zaliks and the Israeli Consulate has put the Jewish community of Atlanta in the spotlight in a very negative way. We now look intolerant and spiteful. Perhaps the Film Festival should have screened this juror more thoroughly and, if truly antisemitic, the juror should have been removed. But isn’t it better to teach him that we are accepting of others? I applaud the Film Festival’s decision.

Laura Kurlander-Nagel, Atlanta