Renowned thespian Oded Kotler to receive Israel Prize, drawing right-wing ire
Politicians blast decision, citing comments made by director describing Likud voters as ‘herd of straw- and cud-chewing cattle’
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Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton announced on Thursday that the 2022 Israel Prize for theater and dance will be awarded to renowned actor, director, and playwright Oded Kotler.
“Kotler founded and managed groundbreaking institutions that have allowed voices from a variety of backgrounds to be heard, expanded the boundaries of the Israeli spirit, and enabled the development of original Israeli plays,” The prize’s selection committee stated.
Born in Tel Aviv in 1937, Kotler is considered a pillar of the Israeli arts scene.
In 1967, he won best actor at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in the film “Three Days and a Child” by director Uri Zohar.
He directed the Haifa Theater from 1970 to 1978 and the prestigious Israel Festival from 1985 to 1990.
He often evokes in his work the country’s political situation, including the conflict with the Palestinians.
Such reflections have made him at times a target of critics on the right.
In 2015, Kotler caused controversy when he responded to comments by then-culture minister Miri Regev, who had told members of Israel’s artistic community, “We got 30 Knesset seats. You got a total of 20,” referring to Likud’s victory in that year’s elections.
Shortly afterward, during an emergency cultural meeting in Jaffa, Kotler focused on what he termed the recent “anti-democratic measures” taken by then-education minister Naftali Bennett — now the prime minister — and Regev in relation to members of the artistic community.
He told the assembled crowd of artists, “Imagine your world is quiet — without books, without music, without poems, a world where no one disturbs you and no one stops the nation from celebrating the 30 [Knesset] seats, which are followed by a herd of straw- and cud-chewing cattle.”
Kotler later apologized for his remarks, which elicited condemnations from across the political spectrum.
Right-wing politicians on Thursday slammed the decision to give the award to Kotler.
“It’s a shame that Israel has chosen such a person to receive the award,” said far-right MK Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Religious Zionism party.
“The man who called us a herd of grazing beasts, representing arrogance and condescension, cannot boast of the Israel Prize, it is a shame,” Regev said in a tweet.
The Times of Israel Community.