In an email seen by Reuters, Shamir was informed by the organizers that due to expected protests over Israel's attacks on Lebanon, "it might be in your best interest not to attend the festival this year for your own sake, rather than for ours."

Maybe it's because I've had a rough week at the shopand I'm tired, but when I read that, I just don't feel the sincerity.

Good to hear he's still going.

You have missed the fact that the organisers are still going to pay for him to come over. Sincerity? They have chosen his film for screening, why wouldn't they want him there ?
The background to this is that the so called Stop the War Coalition have targetted this film for protests. If the guy can be arsed running the gamut of several hundred nut jobs for his art then good on him.
As I write there is a massive police operation underway in Glasgow to prevent disruption at a cricket match involving the Israeli international team. It is pathetic targetting sportsmen and artists but the demonstration organisers are using the spin that it is the modern equivalent of the anti aparthied movement. It isn't, but I suppose that's free speech for you.

Checkpoint was a pretty good documentary, and I look forward to seeing this one as well.
The organisers are being sensitive, Karol, by telling Shamir of the possible crap he will probably end up dealing with. If he chooses to attend, they will foot the bill and welcome him. It's unfortunate that this film would be targeted by those who just want some publicity, but let them carry on. After all, it's their democratic right, as it is mine to not care about their views.

How do you feel about Bill O'Reilly downplaying/defending Mel Gibson's drunken rant?

The filmmaker is well aware of the problems he will face attending the film festival. He doesn't need a not so subtle letter encouraging him not to attend. If they really wanted him to not cancel, they would have sent a letter assuring him of their continued support and details of the security they intend to provide him.

How do you feel about Bill O'Reilly downplaying/defending Mel Gibson's drunken rant

I think O'Reilly is a moron.

I agree with Sam: "If they really wanted him to not cancel, they would have sent a letter assuring him of their continued support and details of the security they intend to provide him."

The police do that here, Karol. And I'm sure that, like when the G8 met in Scotland recently, they will patrol any potential flashpoints in numbers.
I don't know, you may have a point. I suppose it is bad manners no try and put him off, but it's a big leap to anything else.

I also think Salman Rushdie has received a lot of these letters in his time also, apropos of nothing.

What disturbs me is not the letter telling him he may not want to come. Reasonable minds can differ on whether it was offensive or not. I think it could have been better but also far worse.

I am more upset by the film festival's psychic need to prop up their anti-Israel bona fides by assuring the world that they disagree with Israel's current military campaign and that, anyway, this guy is an Israeli critical of Israel and we show films by Iranians and representatives of other countries we disagree with. It disgusts me on so many levels.