Israeli campaign against artists draws accusations of 'McCarthyism'

By Luke Baker JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An ultra-nationalist Israeli group that has campaigned against foreign-funded NGOs broadened its assault to include left-wing artists on Thursday, accusing authors such as Amos Oz and David Grossman of disloyalty to the country. The offensive by Im Tirtzu takes place amid deepening left-right divisions in Israel, with members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government frequently critical of the arts and advocating a more religious-nationalist agenda. Culture Minister Miri Regev, a member of Netanyahu's Likud party, has proposed cutting government funding for any theatre or arts institution whose programmes "subvert the state".