Culture events called off in wake of Iranian missile attacks

After Iran fired missiles toward Israel early Monday, forcing schools to close nationwide and hospitals to move underground, cultural institutions and events followed suit, many shuttering doors and postponing events.

Hebrew Book Week, scheduled to mark its 100th anniversary beginning June 9 with book stalls that draw tens of thousands of visitors to the grounds of Tel Aviv’s Sarona Park and Jerusalem’s Safra Square, will not yet open, according to organizers.

Book Week was scheduled to begin June 9 and run through June 18 in Tel Aviv, and June 10 through June 21 in Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, the planned June 8 ceremony at the Habima National Theater for the Tel Aviv–Jaffa Theater Award, a new municipal prize established to recognize theater productions at the city’s four major theaters — Habima, Cameri, Beit Lessin and Gesher — was postponed.

The inaugural ceremony was originally scheduled to take place on March 8, but was delayed at the time because of the US-Israel war with Iran.

According to the Home Front Command, gatherings of up to 200 people outdoors and 500 people indoors are currently permitted, provided that a designated sheltered space can be reached within the required time.

As a result of the Home Front Command guidelines, many museums were also closed for the time being, including the Israel Museum, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Ramat Gan Museum of Art, and Haifa Museum of Art.

The Israel Museum posted photos of its staff moving significant works to secure storage.

Other institutions, such as the National Library of Israel, opened on Monday in accordance with Home Front Command guidelines.

The library announced that it was open for cardholders only, with a limit of 500 people at a time, while the visitors’ center was closed, with tours and events canceled.

Anu Museum of the Jewish People also remained open to visitors, in compliance with current Home Front Command directives, said director Oded Revivi.

Revivi, a reserve lieutenant colonel who serves as a regional commander in the Home Front Command, said that the museum has protected spaces available for all visitors.

The museum underwent a $100 million renovation that was completed in 2021 and included expanded protected spaces.

Revivi noted that visitor numbers would probably be smaller than usual, with some groups having already canceled planned visits.

“The decision to keep the museum’s doors open, in accordance with all safety guidelines, stems from our belief that culture, our shared story, and our connection to identity are sources of strength and resilience for the public,” said Revivi.