Actor Oded Kotler defends his 'cattle' speech after criticism

Following his comments referring to Likud voters as "straw-munching cattle" on Sunday, Israeli actor Oded Kotler clarified that what he had said applied to society as a whole, rather than just to the right-wing, when art is restricted by political considerations.

However, his efforts to take back his insulting words were lost in a sea of condemnations.

"The comments made against a large and valued population in Israel are outrageous and deserving of condemnation," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. "This country is the most talked about country in the world and it is also the one that talks the most, leaving no doubt about freedom of expression and freedom of creation in Israel.

"The right to free expression is protected by law, but there is no law requiring every speech or project to receive public funding. I suggest we keep the difference between these two in mind."

Kotler's "cattle" statement was made at an artists' meeting in Jaffa in protest against recent comments by Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev (Likud) and Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Habayit Hayehudi) about withholding funding from artists who promote boycotting or delegitimizing Israel. Despite being surrounded by other leading figures in the arts, many in the audience took issue with Kotler's choice of words.

Regev addressed the comment at a Knesset session on Monday, following a no-confidence motion submitted by the Joint Arab List over "cultural harm due to political considerations."

"Mr. Kotler, are the 61 Knesset members sitting here big cows or delicate little cows-" Regev inquired. "Do the dozens of artists who applauded you and your words believe, like you, that a million people are nothing more than straw-munchers? Is this the same 'handful' of people who stood in Rabin Square and applauded [artist Yair] Garbuz [when he called right-wing voters 'amulet-kissers' during the election]-

"Or perhaps it's the same 'handful' of people who listened when [late actor] Dudu Topaz called us 'chahchahim' [a derogatory term for Israeli Jews of Middle Eastern background]? To whom exactly were you referring and in whose name are you speaking? And is this conversation really about culture-"

Earlier, during a Likud faction meeting, Regev got into a debate with Senior Citizens Minister Gila Gamliel, over Regev's decision to cut government funding to a theater whose director, actor Norman Issa, had refused to perform in the Jordan Valley. Gamliel opposed the initial decision. Regardless, Issa eventually backed down and funding was restored.

"If funding is withheld, the only ones to suffer would be the children and the public who want to absorb culture. There is no need to conduct a populist debate on the topic. This could harm the Arab minority," Gamliel said.

"We've heard your comments," Regev replied angrily. "You handle your ministry's business and I'll handle mine. You don't know the details."

For his part, Kotler tried to explain his controversial remarks, telling Army Radio on Monday that his speech was entirely misunderstood. He clarified that when he said cattle he was referring to everyone, including himself, if art is censored.

"I am not talking about the rightist camp; that is not what I meant. My words, which have made me a public enemy, came in response to what the culture minister said," he said.

"A world without free artistic expression, unlimited expression (excepting crime, of course), a world without books, music or poetry, is a dry world, and its citizens -- including the Zionist Union voters, including you and me -- will become like a herd of cattle. If it wasn't clear before, I'm saying it now. That is my opinion."

Despite efforts to clarify his comments, Kotler was criticized by politicians across the spectrum. Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid said, "It is stupid and uncivilized. Not just Kotler but the 300 artists in the room, among whom not even one stood up to say, 'How can you speak about the citizens of Israel like that-'"

Zionist Union Chairman Isaac Herzog said: "Shame on these ugly words, and shame on those who thought they were appropriate and applauded them. We will never be able to reach the people whose support we want in the elections if we speak so shamefully, mockingly and condescendingly."

Meretz chairwoman Zehava Galon said at a faction meeting that she has "no respect or tolerance for anyone who slings mud at an entire sector of the public."

At the other side of the political spectrum, Shas MK Yakov Margi similarly criticized Kotler's comment, cautioning that there are smart people in every sector, not only in the "bohemian elite."

Even among the artistic community, several people spoke out against Kotler.

"Kotler's slip of the tongue was not a slip at all, and it was actually quite welcome as it revealed exactly what the artists living in the Tel Aviv bubble think about the rest of the artists who disagree with them," Israeli singer Yishai Lapidot said. "Freedom of expression must be safeguarded, but I don't think the state of Israel needs to fund a play that praises a murderer, whether it's an Arab terrorist or Yigal Amir [who assassinated Yitzhak Rabin]."

Actress Sarit Vino-Elad was similarly critical, saying, "I heard Kotler's insulting, harsh and divisive comment. How can you convince anyone to take your side by offending and belittling them-"

Even actor Moshe Ivgy, who signed the petition against Regev's decision, said, "I'm sure he didn't mean it and I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt anyone, but he said it and it was completely inappropriate."

Meanwhile, also at Sunday's emergency artists' meeting, director Ofira Henig called on those present to boycott the upcoming theater prize ceremony this Friday should Regev attend. Regev has confirmed that she will be there regardless.

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