The newest Israeli tempest sidelined the protests of Arab film producers at the Ophir Award ceremony of the Israeli Academy of Film and Television on Sept. 22. Instead of inspiring public discussion of the feelings and concerns of Arab artists regarding the direction taken by the Israeli film industry, everyone's attention turned to Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev. During the reading of an excerpt from Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish's poem "ID Card," intending to generate a discussion on the place and identity of Arab citizens in Israeli society, Regev decided to abandon the hall, and all eyes followed her.

It all started a few days before the ceremony, when the management of the Israeli Academy of Film vetoed the plan for Arab-Israeli rapper Tamer Nafar and Israeli producer Yossi Tzabari to appear onstage to read a section of the poem. As a compromise, it was agreed between the sides that the two artists would indeed do a reading from it onstage, but omit the controversial part of the poem about "the usurper," meaning the occupation: "But if I become hungry, the usurper’s flesh will be my food. Beware, beware of my hunger, and my anger!"

The angry exit by the culture minister during the performance was received in the hall with equanimity, as her actions were predictable. But afterward, when Regev got up to speak, accusing the Israeli movie industry of elitism and operating like an exclusive club that does not offer equal opportunities, and as usual threatening to cut government funding, there was an uproar in the hall.

The Israeli film harvest this year has been one of its most diverse and pluralistic, yet this did not stop Regev from expressing her usual accusations and threats that caused the eruption of anger in the audience. Thus Regev herself became the center of attention and all the other issues presented by the ceremony’s participants were pushed aside.