Skip to main content

Haifa's Arab theater shocked by uproar over play

“A Parallel Time,” at Al-Midan Theater in Haifa, has sparked an outcry amid allegations that the play glorifies an alleged terrorist.
AL-Midan Theater.JPG
Read in 

Adnan Tarabash, the manager of Al-Midan Theater in Haifa, remains unable to understand what sparked the public uproar over “A Parallel Time,” a play by Bashar Murkus that he says prompted the city council to freeze funding for the theater. One city council member, Shai Blumenthal from HaBayit HaYehudi, submitted a point of order, arguing that the play was based on a story written by Walid Daka, convicted of being a member of a terrorist cell that 21 years ago kidnapped and murdered Moshe Tamam, an Israeli soldier.

“You take a terrorist, a murderer, you give him a platform and try to turn him into something positive,” Blumenthal said to council members. Yet, in an interview with Al-Monitor, the manager of Al-Midan said that the people who have raised a hue and cry over the play had never seen it and don’t know what it is about.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.