Miami Beach’s mayor has taken steps to remove a nonprofit cinema from a government-owned space after it showed No Other Land, an Oscar-winning documentary that tells the story of Israeli forces destroying Palestinian homes in the southern West Bank area of Masafer Yatta.
Steven Meiner, who serves as the city’s mayor, announced through his newsletter that he submitted a resolution aimed at ending the lease of O Cinema, the organization running the venue.
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He described the documentary as being dishonest and biased, calling it a harmful portrayal of Jewish people that clashes with what the city and its residents stand for.
O Cinema’s co-founder, Kareem Tabsch, responded to the situation by saying the possibility of being removed from their physical space in Miami Beach is a very serious issue for the organization.
He also said that the group is strongly committed to their role as a cultural body that encourages meaningful conversations through their film selections. He emphasized that they carry out this mission without any interference from political leaders.
Legal and Creative Pushback Against City Pressure
The Florida chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which has now joined the theater’s legal defense, condemned the mayor’s move. So did the filmmakers behind the documentary.
Although the film earned the award for best documentary at the Academy Awards, it has yet to be picked up by any traditional distributor in the United States for theater or streaming release. Still, the film has already been accepted by distributors in over two dozen countries.
Daniel Tilley, who serves as the legal director of Florida’s ACLU, said during an interview that the case raises serious concerns about government power.
According to him, what’s at stake is whether public officials can punish individuals or organizations simply because they express views different from those held by those in charge.
Tilley also pointed out that the city commission must now decide whether to pass what he called an unconstitutional proposal or instead allow for more thoughtful decision-making and protect the values of creative freedom funded by public money.
The documentary was created by a group of four filmmakers, two from Israel and two from Palestine. The fact that it hasn’t received a traditional release shows how challenging it can be for documentaries to find commercial support, especially on politically charged topics.
The creators are now distributing the film themselves at multiple theater venues. Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, one of the directors and a recurring figure in the film, objected strongly to the mayor’s stance. He also criticized the claim that the film promotes hatred toward Jewish people.
Abraham said that when leaders label criticism of Israeli policy as antisemitism, especially when it comes from both Palestinians and Israelis working together for justice, they weaken the meaning of the term. He said the reason the mayor reacted strongly is likely because the film shows a side of reality that’s difficult to justify once people see it for themselves.
Pressure, Response, and the Reversal of a Decision
In his newsletter, Meiner claimed that O Cinema’s chief executive, Vivian Marthell, had at first agreed to stop showing the film. However, he stated that the theater later went back on that decision.
According to Tabsch, who is both a documentary filmmaker and a board member at O Cinema, Marthell’s initial decision came under a lot of pressure. The complaints from Meiner, he said, were viewed as indirect warnings about the cinema’s future in the city.
Tabsch added that after serious talks with the staff, board members, and leaders in the arts community, they understood that pulling the film was not the right choice.
He said the public response made it very clear that people wanted to watch No Other Land. He expressed hope that all parties could find a peaceful solution moving forward.
Later that Thursday evening, Marthell issued a long statement that backed Tabsch’s version of events. She said her earlier choice to remove the film came during a moment of pressure and that she reconsidered after thinking about what it meant for free expression and the core purpose of O Cinema.
Marthell stated that showing No Other Land was not meant to take any side in a political debate. Instead, she described it as a firm statement in favor of allowing all voices to be heard.
Resolution Details and Political Reactions
The proposed resolution would give the city manager the authority to cancel the lease agreement and look for a new tenant that better represents the city’s values. It also includes canceling tens of thousands of dollars in grants that have not yet been given to O Cinema.
Steven Meiner, who first became mayor in November 2023, did not provide any answers despite being contacted multiple times for comment.
It looks like the city commission is planning to review the resolution during its next scheduled meeting on Wednesday. It remains uncertain whether it will pass. However, one city commissioner, Tanya Katzoff Bhatt, made it clear during an interview that she plans to vote against the proposal.
Bhatt said she only watched the documentary because of all the public debate it caused. She described it as very emotionally difficult to watch. While she struggled with her own reaction to the film’s content, she also said that there are better ways to have difficult discussions than punishing those who offer a space for them.
David Suarez, another commissioner, said he had not made up his mind yet. In written replies to questions, he said that what’s clear to him is that taxpayer money should not be misused by the theater.
According to him, people living in Miami Beach want their city to stand firm against antisemitism and continue supporting strong ties with Israel.
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez also shared her thoughts through a message to the community. She called the screening disturbing for many residents. At the same time, she acknowledged that O Cinema has a history of supporting Jewish voices, including by hosting the city’s Jewish Film Festival. She warned that rushing to punish the theater could lead to expensive legal battles and waste public resources.
O Cinema’s website currently shows that all four scheduled screenings of No Other Land for the coming week are fully booked.
