“A non-political celebration of Israeli culture and diversity” is how organizer Shayna Levitan describes IsraelFEST, U of T’s annual week-long festival showcasing Israeli innovation, tourism and culture.

The event was organized by Jewish student group Hillel. The festivities started on Thursday with a concert at Danforth Music Hall and events so far have included a dinner and photography display. Levitan explains that the Fest is meant to present a positive image of Israel.

“What most people see about Israel is violence,” said Levitan. “We want to show them a country full of life.”

On Tuesday, Hillel set up an Israeli Shuk, or marketplace, at Sidney Smith Hall, where visitors could enjoy Israeli cuisine, learn about Israeli geography, and read poetry by Israeli writers. Organizer Elayna Fremes adds that the Fest is meant “to show Israel outside the conflict. It’s for everyone.”

Hillel invited outside groups to the Fest, such as Tel Aviv University, which offers an exchange program with the University of Toronto. Arlin Markowitz, a representative from Tel Aviv University, said that the program is “open to everybody, not just Israelis or Jews. When I was there, [the university] had Christians and Muslims.”

There were also displays offering information and brochures on Israeli tourism, history and the various ethnic groups within Israel. As well, there was a video on gay culture in Israel, as the country will be hosting the World Pride 2005 in Jerusalem.

Student visitor Santosh Dsouzae says that with the large number of Israelis in Toronto, Canadians need to know more about the country.

“It’s very important to learn about Israeli culture. Israel is a place with a long history.”

As the Fest’s slogan “Keep it cultural” suggests, organizers emphasize that the event is meant to highlight Israeli culture, not political views.

“There’s a time for politics,” said Moshik Galanty, Hillel’s coordinator of Israeli arts and culture. “This festival is cultural.”

U of T’s Arab Students’ Collective is this week mounting Israeli Apartheid Week, a series of events about the lives of Palestinians living in the occupied territories. Some critics noted the apparent juxtaposition of the two week-long events, though organizers said the identical scheduling was a coincidence.

Galanty said that he had encountered people who tried to politicize IsraelFEST.

“But we always said this festival is cultural… there’s nothing wrong with music, with falafel.”

Norman Gilboord, a student visiting the Shuk said that it offered, “great food, info packages [and the Fest is] creative. Everything’s done well. Israel is about democracy, culture, history, peace.” There are also displays on Israeli innovation and technology; Gilboord offered Israeli inventions such as instant-messaging software ICQ as an example.

“The news media want controversy, they don’t show the positive side,” said Gilboord. “Every country deserves to show the whole side.” The Fest will wrap up today with a drum circle at Diabolos, followed by a pub social.