Artists and cultural institutions, globally, are trying to reinvent themselves online to keep the flame of their artistry alive. In Israel, the future of the local cultural scene is inextricably intertwined with the post-March 2020 election outcomes. Benny Gantz, leader of Israel’s Blue and White party, has tied his political fate with Benjamin Netanyahu’s in a controversial agreement. In coalition negotiations, Gantz placed a central focus on what he defined as the “democracy portfolios”: the high profile Justice and Communications Ministries and the once sleepy Culture Ministry. How did cultural policy become so key to Israel’s democratic character, and what will be the major challenges facing the new Culture Minister?  In the last five years, the culture policy arena has become a political battleground. Unlike the U.S., Israel operates by the European model, whereby the national...

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