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JERUSALEM – June 21, 2025 — The 64th edition of the Israel Festival, originally scheduled to open on July 3, has been postponed indefinitely due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
Organizers made the announcement on Saturday, citing the current national security situation and the collective mourning of the country. In a public statement, festival management expressed solidarity with grieving families and voiced support for Israeli soldiers and hostages. “
The festival deeply shares in the sorrow of the families of the victims, prays for the soldiers’ safety, and hopes for the return of all the captives now,” said the statement. “Looking for quiet days and future-defining cultural moments.”
The Israel Festival, one of the country’s most prominent annual cultural events, was set to take place over 16 days across multiple regions, including Jerusalem, the Upper Galilee, Golan Heights, and the Western Negev.
This year’s program was particularly significant, aiming to explore the national trauma and cultural aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks, which left over 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage.
It was also the first time in the festival’s 64-year history that events were planned for the northern and southern border regions. Towns such as Kiryat Shmona, Tel Hai, Kfar Blum, Majdal Shams, Ofakim, Kibbutz Urim, and Kibbutz Tze’elim were to host performances alongside Jerusalem.
These locations were chosen not only for their cultural relevance but also to acknowledge the communities that have endured the brunt of ongoing security threats.
Unlike previous editions, the 2025 festival was set to feature only local artists. International performers, typically a hallmark of the Israel Festival, were deliberately excluded this year.
The decision was made to prioritize homegrown voices and perspectives in light of the events of the past 20 months.
Performances were curated to reflect themes of loss, resilience, and remembrance, and were expected to provide catharsis and dialogue through music, dance, theater, and visual art.
“The festival was meant to be a mirror to our society’s pain and strength,” said a spokesperson for the festival. “We hoped to bring communities together in both grief and creative reflection. That will still happen—just not now.”
This marks the second consecutive year that the Israel Festival has been disrupted by war. In 2024, the festival was postponed to September and held in a more limited format in Jerusalem and the Western Negev.
The region had become a symbolic and emotional focal point for the country after the October 7 attacks. Security concerns in recent weeks, including missile barrages from Iran and Hezbollah-aligned groups, have heightened nationwide tensions.
Cultural institutions, public gatherings, and travel plans have all been impacted as authorities brace for continued escalations. While no new date has been announced, organizers affirmed their intention to hold the festival once the security environment stabilizes.
“The spirit of the Israel Festival remains strong,” the festival committee said. “We will return when it is safe—not only to perform, but to truly be present with one another.