Last week, the network stormed after the news broke that Hanan Ben-Ari demanded a sum of NIS 535,000 from the Netanya municipality for a performance in the city. The sector claimed that the attack on Ben-Ari stemmed from populism.
Ben Ari performing Photo: Yossi Aloni / Flash90
Rabbi Ofran: The blame should be placed on the municipality and not on the artist whose right to ask for the amount he deserves
Among the defenders of Ben-Ari is also Rabbi Ilai Ofran, who posted a Facebook post in which he expressed his opinion on the storm of the show. “The core of the ‘free market’ idea, if I understand correctly, is to reduce government intervention, which means less taxes and less government decisions about citizens’ money, so every citizen will have the freedom to decide what to invest his money in. In a world like this there will probably be fewer services provided. “Publicly by the state, certainly when it comes to services that are a luxury.”
The Knights of the Free Market are not supposed to attack Ben Ari, it is his right to back whatever he wants
Rabbi Ofran also continues, that the blame should be placed on the municipality and not on the artist whose right to ask for the amount he deserves. “Therefore, when a municipality decides to pay an astronomical sum for a performance, the knights of the free market are supposed to demand the freedom of the masses of taxpayers who will not forcibly take money from them to finance luxuries at such high prices, and not the (obvious) freedom of the specific artist to charge.” Rabbi Ilai concludes.
Hanan Ben Ari in concert Photo: Flash 90
Rabbi Chaim Navon: “I do not like the populist onslaught on Hanan Ben-Ari”
Rabbi Ofran joins the words of Rabbi Chaim Navon, who also posted a Facebook post about the public attack on the singer. “I do not like the populist onslaught on Hanan Ben-Ari, who asked the Netanya municipality for half a million NIS for a performance,” the rabbi began. Compassion and sensitivity, which are essential personal values - in the right circumstances. “
The rabbi went on to explain that the market circumstances are that everyone wants Hanan Ben-Ari’s performances, which justifies taking a high amount for a performance, emphasizing that everyone knows that when understanding and sensitivity needs to be shown, Ben-Ari has certainly empathized in the past: Poor IDF hospitalized, and he would demand half a million, I was 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. “