For the second time in a year, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir claims that he canceled a lecture by actor Hisham Suliman to employees of the Israel Police and the National Security Headquarters, due to his past statements about the IDF. At the same time, the Israeli Arab actor, who starred in the popular Israeli drama series 'Fauda', claims that the cancellation was due to logistical reasons, and it has nothing to do with the minister. "Due to schedule constraints, the conference has been postponed to another date to be determined later," according to the Israel Police.
"The minister canceled Hisham Suliman's lecture at a conference of the police and the Ministry of National Security because those who harm IDF soldiers, incite, slander them and work against the state should not be a lecturer at conferences," Ben-Gvir's office said in a statement.
The statement added that Suliman was "invited by the Special Forces Division of the police and the National Authority for Community Security to give a lecture at an event of the National-Civil Service in the Israel Police. This became known to Minister Ben-Gvir, and he announced that he would not allow the actor's participation in the conference, and the lecture was canceled."
Suliman said in a statement that the lecture "was postponed for logistical reasons. While the country is burning, it is time for the minister to deal with what is really important."
The office responsible for Suliman's lectures also explained that in the message they received they confirmed that it was a cancellation for "logistical reasons," and they were not given any other reason for the decision.
About a decade ago, the actor was interviewed for the "7 Nights" supplement of Yediot Ahronoth, and said that harming a soldier in the West Bank is not considered an attack, but later explained that he condemns violence on both sides. In July, there was a similar incident in which, when Suliman's participation in the ceremony of the heads of Arab society authorities was canceled. Also then, a battle of versions took place in which the minister claimed that he was the one responsible for the cancellation, while Suliman said that he himself canceled his participation after he realized that Ben-Gvir would be there.