Jerusalem theater revives Rachel Corrie's controversial memory with Jerusalem's mayor citing freedom of expression as he defends public funding for the theater showing a play about pro-Palestinian activist Rachel Corrie.

In this photo taken July 7, 2013, Israeli actress Sivane Kretchner plays American activist Rachel Corrie as she performs in a theater in Jerusalem. A one-person play about an American activist who was killed by the Israeli military is being performed for a Hebrew-speaking audience in Jerusalem. Sebastian Scheiner/AP

"...“Even if the municipality and mayor don’t agree with the specific content that presents soldiers in a negative light, we are prevented by law from interfering in the freedom of expression,” said Mr. Barkat in a statement. 

Across town last month in East Jerusalem, the annual Palestinian children’s puppet theater festival was not so lucky.   

Israel’s Ministry of Defense cancelled performances and shut the theater based on the claim that the festival’s organizer illegally received funds from the Palestinian Authority.

By contrast, "Rachel Corrie" was produced by a state-supported organization, and in its content and backstory belonged to an international framework. 

Controversy, however, is nothing new to the play. In New York, Florida, and Vancouver, shows were reportedly canceled due to pressure from Jewish and pro-Israel groups...."

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2013/0805/Jerusalem-theater-revives-Rachel-Corrie-s-controversial-memory 

[AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine]