ministry of Culture: Support criteria will be published in about two weeks
The Education, Culture, and Sports Committee, headed by MK Tzvika Sukkot, held a discussion today (Sunday) on the crisis in the cultural sector in light of the war.
Chairman of the Education Committee, MK Tzvika Sukkot: “Culture is the breath and spirit of the nation. The committee calls on the Ministries of Finance and Culture to establish a permanent support mechanism that will ensure the continued activity of cultural professionals during times of crisis.”
According to Bank of Israel data, the number of employed individuals in the culture, arts, and leisure sector stood at approximately 80,000 in February 2026, about 2.5% of all employed individuals in the economy. On March 26, 2026, during operation “Lion’s Roar,” the Ministry of Culture published draft support criteria for public comments, intended to assist cultural institutions supported by the ministry in coping with loss of income due to the war. This is in a similar format to previous criteria published during the war period starting in October 2023.
Maria Yariv, a representative from the Ministry of Culture, stated that the support criteria will be published soon: “The draft is not yet finalized, but I estimate it will be published in about two weeks. Everyone is waiting for it, including us. It is currently under consultation with the Ministry of Justice, as we have incorporated changes based on public comments received from the north.”
Omer Cohen, a representative from the Ministry of Finance: “The Ministries of Finance and Culture recognize the unique needs of the cultural sector. Supported institutions receive unique assistance. Since the beginning of the war, there have been regular tracks that cultural professionals could also access; the current framework is suitable for some businesses.” Cohen acknowledged the difficulty in providing assistance to self-employed individuals not affiliated with cultural institutions.
MK Merav Ben Ari, one of the initiators of the discussion: “Since October 7th, the cultural world has been in survival mode. Venues are closing and not reopening, and those that do face daily difficulties. The compensation framework does not provide adequate support for this sector.”
MK Eitan Ginzburg: “A singer told me a few days ago that two of his friends spoke to him about ending their lives because they have no income and no work. Their income is not high to begin with; not everyone is a big star earning millions and filling stadiums, and there is no reason why they shouldn’t receive immediate compensation.”
Rami Beja, Chairman of the Forum of Self-Employed and Freelancers: “We chose show business, but there’s no business. The Ministry of Finance says they cannot differentiate between a butcher and a festival producer like myself, and I don’t understand this because the National Insurance Institute, on the other hand, recognizes me well. Just as special compensation is given to businesses in the north, and advances were also provided to them, the same can be done for the cultural industry, whether institutional or private. It must be recognized that it requires an exemption as long as there is a decrease of over 80% in turnover.” Beja illustrated the cancellation of festivals, one after another recently: “200 employees at the humor festival canceled for Purim. Everyone lost their livelihood, and I, as a producer, also lost. Also, 120 employees who were supposed to work at the spring festival, which was canceled. Within two days, I couldn’t set up an open booth for Independence Day, so that was also canceled. And here is an industry in real crisis, whose livelihood is being denied, and the State of Israel is not involved.”
Avital Handler, Chairperson of the Symphony Orchestra Musicians’ Committee: “Most orchestra musicians, who normally do not earn large sums, between 7,000-10,000 NIS, have not earned money in the last two months, and they don’t have it now either. I know musicians who are looking for a different profession today.”
Eran Ohana, Deputy Director of ACUM, raised the issue of royalties in the discussion: “These are small businesses that are experiencing damage not only now but also in the future. We request that these thousands of creators be recognized as a supported entity.”
In conclusion of the discussion, the Chairman of the Education and Culture Committee, MK Tzvika Sukkot, said: “There is a huge gap between the claims being made here and what the Ministry of Culture presents. The committee will hold a follow-up discussion in two weeks to examine these matters.”
