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Canadian writer Naomi Klein has claimed that the
number of artists, filmmakers and activists who have put their
signatures on a statement decrying the Tel Aviv focus has
crossed 1000.

However, the protesters' stand seems to have
only boosted demand for the ten films in the package and
tickets are flying off the counters.

Supporters of the Tel Aviv showcase argue that the
call for a boycott is tantamount to an unacceptable form of
censorship.

Detractors have been at pains to assert that they have
nothing against individual Israeli filmmakers and their stand
is against the form of apartheid that Israeli state practises.

The protesters, whose ranks include the likes of
veteran actress Jane Fonda and filmmaker Ken Loach, have
accused the TIFF organisers of falling prey to an Israeli ploy
designed to give the suspect global image of the country a
makeover. PTI