Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Film Finally Shows At Northbrook Library

NORTHBROOK, IL — Originally scheduled to play at the Northbrook Public Library last fall, "Israelism," a 2023 film about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, was shown there Friday. Its cancellation in September followed an uproar by some members of the community, and condemnation from groups like the Chicago Jewish Alliance.

As reported by Patch last year, the film about the portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in American Jewish institutions, was scheduled to show at the library on Sept. 18, 2024. 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.

"Before the first planned screening, local far right groups called on people to email and call the library to protest the event," the makers of "Israelism" said in a social media post. "The library responded by demanding the screening organizer pay $3,000 for security and insurance."

"Ever since the Chicago Jewish Alliance called out the propaganda of this film, we've been living rent-free in their heads — literally posting about us all the time," CJA said in its own social media post, also calling itself an amalgamation of political and religious views within the Jewish community versus the far-right label given by the filmmakers.

Regarding Friday's showing of "Israelism," the Northbrook Village Board released the following statement:

"The Village Board knows that today's showing of "Israelism" at the Library has caused great concern amongst many members of our community. We hear your concerns and frustration. This film is being shown by a library card holder. The Library is a separate and independently elected board and not controlled by the Village Board. It has a legal obligation to allow for free speech. The Library was contacted by the ACLU, which demanded that the Library allow the showing of the film under the First Amendment. With respect to the police department, they are there to keep the public safe."

According to Village officials, out of an abundance of caution, the Northbrook Police Department was on site to assist with crowd control if needed.