Rabbi Chaim Navon posted a post on Facebook in which he provides his shenkel about the storm of Hanan Ben-Ari’s performance. As mentioned, this week it was announced that the Netanya municipality contacted Hanan Ben-Ari’s people and asked for a quote for a performance in its territory, the singer demanded a sum of NIS 535,000 (before VAT), and demanded that the number of people who participate in the show be limited to 5,000. Alef, because the artist received an agreement from the municipality for the amount he demanded, the Netanya municipality will charge a price of NIS 150 for a ticket to the show.
Rabbi Chaim Navon posted a post on Facebook that he opened with the words: “I do not like the populist attack on Hanan Ben-Ari, who asked the Netanya municipality for half a million NIS for a performance. “The amount is really huge, but I think that in the allegations against him there is confusion between a market price, which is an objective fact, and compassion and sensitivity, which are essential personal values - in the appropriate circumstances.”
“This is the price; they will – they will eat, they will not – they will not eat”
The rabbi went on to explain that the market circumstances are that everyone wants performances by Hanan Ben-Ari, which justifies taking a high amount for a performance. He stressed that everyone knows that when it comes to understanding and sensitivity, Ben-Ari has certainly shown empathy in the past: “If he had been asked to appear before poor IDF orphans hospitalized, and he would have demanded half a million, I would have been furious. But that’s not what it’s about. A wealthy municipality wants an expensive treat for its residents, and there is no special reason for a successful singer to pity it and ask it for less than the market price. This is the price; They will – they will eat, they will not – they will not eat. “
Ben-Ari’s entourage reported following the incident: “As far as is known and agreed with us, the show is funded by the sale of tickets, as happens at every show. The coverage of expenses comes from the sale of tickets.”
The municipality’s response “In view of the costs of the show, the Heichal Hatarbut has recruited additional factors to finance it and depending on the sale of tickets no financial deficit is expected, as far as the issue of principle is concerned.
As I recall, after the storm of high tariffs of Israel’s leading singers on Independence Day stages, Ben Ari decided not to perform on a main stage and chose to perform at a subsidized price for soldiers and servicemen in the national service: “So I chose to continue what we did last year and celebrate the eve of Independence with IDF soldiers in a big way.”