Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner withdrew a proposal to evict O Cinema after its screening of the documentary 'No Other Land,' highlighting tensions in the community over perspectives on Israeli-Palestinian issues. Meiner, who spoke emotionally about his fears of antisemitism, recognized he lacked support for the eviction proposal. He also postponed an alternative measure requiring the theater to show films reflecting Jewish viewpoints. The incident emphasizes the ongoing challenges faced by Miami Beach, a city with significant Jewish roots, amidst recent geopolitical conflicts.
Mr. Meiner has repeatedly condemned the film, made by two Israeli and two Palestinian filmmakers, as one-sided propaganda on the Jewish people.
At one point in the meeting, he appeared to hold back tears as he described his fears of antisemitism in the country and the world.
The debate on Wednesday underscored deep divisions in the city about Mr. Meiner's initial plan, and whether it was appropriate for the city to evict or even chastise a theater for a movie it chose to show.
He also set aside, at least for now, an alternative measure he had put forward this week that called on the theater to show films in which the viewpoint of the Jewish people and the State of Israel is fully and accurately presented.
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