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NORTHBROOK, IL — Following planned protests and an uproar from some members of the community, a documentary film about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will not be shown at the Northbrook Library. Officials said Wednesday, the cardholder who had scheduled a showing of “Israelism” informed the library “none of this will be happening.”
As reported by Patch last week, “Israelism,” a 2023 documentary about the portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in American Jewish institutions, was scheduled to show at the library on Sept. 18. According to the library, a Northbrook resident and library cardholder reserved a room at the library for a ticketed film screening of the film, hosted by The Chicagoland Jewish Labor Bund and Jewish Voice for Peace. Officials said the planned screening of the film was not sponsored or facilitated by the library.
The screening of the film was condemned by the Chicago Jewish Alliance, among others. The film was to be followed by a question and answer session with Jewish and Palestinian/Muslim activists.
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“This is bad news. The screening of ‘Israelism’ at Northbrook Library, organized by the Chicagoland Jewish Labor Bund and JVP, is a troubling attempt to gaslight our community,” the Chicago Jewish Alliance said in a social media post. “This small fringe group of Jews and non-Jews is misrepresenting our voices and values, and it’s disrespectful to all of us.”
RELATED: Northbrook Library Defends Right Of Resident To Host Film On Conflict
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According to the library, during a follow-up compliance check regarding reservation requirements, the cardholder directed officials to remove the booking from the reservation system.
“As a public, government institution, the Library is bound by the laws of our country, including the U.S. Constitution and the protections guaranteed by the First Amendment, which guarantees individuals’ right to express their views, free from government interference, even when those views may challenge or provoke,” said Kate Hall, Northbrook Library executive director, in a statement on the library’s website. “The library will continue to uphold this Constitutional protection as it applies to all viewpoints with regard to room bookings.”
Hall added that a library policy outlines it “reserves the right to charge additional fees if needed to ensure compliance with any applicable local, state or federal laws or in the interest of safety.”
“Many have shared plans to attend in protest. The Library supports everyone’s right to peacefully protest,” Hall said. “The Library was in communication with the organizers of the film screening, Village and the Northbrook Police Department to ensure everyone can safely exercise their Constitutional rights.”
Officials said the Northbrook Police Department advised the library that it would be necessary to hire outside licensed, bonded and insured security and provided a specific recommendation for a qualified firm, which we shared with the cardholder who booked the room. According to the libray, the cardholder was asked to provide the following Tuesday.
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“While this screening, like other patron room bookings, was not sponsored or endorsed by the Library, we recognize that it evoked pain and anger for many of our community members as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the devastating loss of life,” Hall said. “Please know that we do understand that this situation has been extremely challenging, and we are here to listen.”
Residents with further questions or concerns, cab reach out to Hall at khall@northbrook.info or to the Board of Trustees at board@northbrook.info or at their next meeting in the library on Thursday, Sept. 19.
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