Ambassador of Israel to India, Naor Gilon addresses the media in New Delhi. File photograph
| Photo Credit: PTI
Filmmaker Nadav Lapid has “abused” Indian hospitality by calling TheKashmir Files as “propaganda” and “vulgar”, Israeli ambassador to India mentioned on Tuesday, November 29, 2922.
In a response to the Israeli filmmaker’s remarks, Ambassador of Israel to India, Naor Gilon equated the movie on the exile of Kashmiri Pandits of the valley with Steven Spielberg’s Holocaust basic Schindler’s List and urged Mr. Lapid to “justify” his criticism.
“In Indian culture they say that a guest is like God. You have abused in the worst way the Indian invitation to chair the panel of judges at @IFFIGoa as well as the trust, respect, and warm hospitality they have bestowed on you,” mentioned Mr Gilon.
Mr. Lapid was invited to chair the jury on the Indian International Film Festival in Goa the place Kashmir Files was screened. The Israeli jury chief lashed out on the movie and mentioned, “We were, all of us, [jury members] disturbed and shocked by the 15th film, Kashmir Files, that felt to us like a vulgar propaganda movie inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of such a prestigious film festival.”
In response the Israeli envoy indicated that the movie maker’s criticism of the controversial movie could have an effect on sentiments in India saying,
“The friendship between the people and the states of India and Israel is very strong and will survive the damage you have inflicted. As a human being I feel ashamed and want to apologise to our hosts for the bad manner in which we repaid them for their generosity and friendship.”
“You will go back to Israel thinking that you are bold and “made a statement”. We, the representatives of Israel, would keep right here. You ought to see our DM bins following your “bravery” and what implications it might have on the workforce beneath my duty,” mentioned Ambassador Gilon.
Mr. Lapid is thought for celebrated movies like The Kindergarten Teacher and 2019 Golden Bear winner Synonyms. His speech on the IFFI Goa drew a powerful social media backlash from the supporters of The Kashmir Files who accused him of neglecting Indian sentiments relating to the persecution of Pandits in Kashmir.