Latest news with #GhassanAbu-Sittah
The National
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Pro-Palestine takeover to protest Scottish arts centre policy
Organised by Art Workers for Palestine Scotland, the event at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow – running from Tuesday to Saturday – will feature events, workshops and screenings that showcase Palestinian art and culture and interrogate 'the complicity of Scottish cultural institutions' in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The takeover will be held in the public courtyard in what was described as a response to the CCA board's recent refusal to adopt a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy or endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The PACBI advocates for a boycott of Israeli academic and cultural institutions. Earlier this year, an open letter signed by more than 800 artists, workers and audiences urged the CCA to take action to endorse PACBI and align policy with its public values, but the board has reportedly refused. READ MORE: What happens if Palestine Action is banned under terrorism laws? A spokesperson for Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: 'The board's decision not to endorse PACBI reveals a disturbing trend of institutional complicity. 'We cannot stand by as our cultural spaces are used to sanitise genocide. This takeover is a community-led act of transformation reclaiming CCA as a space of justice, resistance and Palestinian cultural life. 'We are here to show the depth and breadth of solidarity with Palestine in Glasgow and beyond. Through this takeover, we centre Palestinian voices and culture while holding our institutions to account. 'Another CCA is possible and urgently necessary.' The CCA has been approached for comment. Art Workers for Palestine Scotland also recently called out the Glasgow Film Theatre's (GFT) decision not to endorse BDS and PACBI. Glasgow Film said this was in order to retain "independent decision making" and uphold its "commitment to Cinema For All". Three members of the GFT board resigned, raising concerns about the processes leading to the decision. READ MORE: The proscription of Palestine Action has frightening implications Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: "It will go down in history that, given the opportunity to stand with the Palestinian people following months of genocide and starvation at the hands of a colonial oppressor, the GFT chose complicity, cowardice and blatant disregard for human life." Earlier this year, front-of-house and cleaning staff at the GFT staged a boycott on handling any goods connected to the BDS movement, which resulted in Coca-Cola products no longer being served. Campaign group Art Workers for Palestine Scotland then published an open letter to the GFT calling for the cinema to adhere to the BDS movement and endorse PACBI. The letter was signed by more than 1400 people and included the likes of Ghassan Abu-Sittah, the rector of the University of Glasgow, and filmmaker Ken Loach.
The National
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Pro-Palestine takeover planned to protest Scottish arts centre policy
Organised by Art Workers for Palestine Scotland, the event at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow – running from Tuesday to Saturday – will feature events, workshops and screenings that showcase Palestinian art and culture and interrogate 'the complicity of Scottish cultural institutions' in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The takeover will be held in the public courtyard in response to the CCA Board's recent refusal to adopt a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy or endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The PACBI advocates for a boycott of Israeli academic and cultural institutions. Earlier this year, an open letter signed by more than 800 artists, workers and audiences who urged the CCA to take action to endorse PACBI and align policy with its public values, but the board has reportedly refused. READ MORE: What happens if Palestine Action is banned under terrorism laws? A spokesperson for Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: 'The board's decision not to endorse PACBI reveals a disturbing trend of institutional complicity. 'We cannot stand by as our cultural spaces are used to sanitise genocide. This takeover is a community-led act of transformation reclaiming CCA as a space of justice, resistance and Palestinian cultural life. 'We are here to show the depth and breadth of solidarity with Palestine in Glasgow and beyond. Through this takeover, we centre Palestinian voices and culture while holding our institutions to account. 'Another CCA is possible and urgently necessary.' The CCA has been approached for comment. Art Workers for Palestine Scotland also recently called out the Glasgow Film Theatre's (GFT) decision not to endorse BDS and PACBI. Glasgow Film said this was in order to retain "independent decision making" and uphold its "commitment to Cinema For All". Three members of the GFT board resigned, raising concerns about the processes leading to the decision. READ MORE: The proscription of Palestine Action has frightening implications Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: "It will go down in history that, given the opportunity to stand with the Palestinian people following months of genocide and starvation at the hands of a colonial oppressor, the GFT chose complicity, cowardice and blatant disregard for human life." Earlier this year, front-of-house and cleaning staff at the GFT staged a boycott on handling any goods connected to the BDS movement, which resulted in Coca-Cola products no longer being served. Campaign group Art Workers for Palestine Scotland then published an open letter to the GFT calling for the cinema to adhere to the BDS movement and endorse PACBI. The letter was signed by more than 1400 people and included the likes of Ghassan Abu-Sittah, rector of the University of Glasgow and filmmaker Ken Loach.
The National
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Glasgow Film Theatre decides to not endorse Israel boycott movement
Glasgow Film announced on Thursday that it wouldn't fully endorse either the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement or the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The cinema said this was in order to retain 'independent decision making' and uphold its 'commitment to Cinema For All'. READ MORE: John Swinney urged to intervene and scrap Flamingo Land plans at fiery FMQs It comes after a boycott by the GFT's front-of-house and cleaning teams on handling any goods connected to the BDS movement led to Coca-Cola products no longer being served. Art Workers for Palestine Scotland then published an open letter to the GFT calling for the cinema to adhere to the (BDS) movement and endorse PACBI. The letter was signed by more than 1400 and included the likes of Ghassan Abu-Sittah, rector of the University of Glasgow and filmmaker Ken Loach. But Glasgow Film has decided to not formally endorse the movement. 'The Board of Trustees at Glasgow Film recognise the horrific humanitarian crisis in Gaza and are appalled by the ongoing loss of Palestinian lives,' a statement read. 'We understand the depth and diversity of feeling within our staff, audiences, and wider communities, and we acknowledge the calls from artists and activists for cultural and consumer boycotts in solidarity with Palestinians. 'We also recognise the rising levels of antisemitism, Islamophobia and polarisation in our communities and condemn any kind of racism or discrimination.' (Image: PA) The statement added: 'As an independent charity, trustees are legally required to act in the best interests of the charity, and in line with its charitable objects which are, for Glasgow Film, principally to educate the public about film. To meet this obligation, we believe that all decisions, including those relating to ethical purchasing and programming, should be taken independently, and on a case-by-case basis, informed by robust internal policies and processes.' They announced a review and refresh 'in consultation with staff' on their ethical policies and 'assess any connections to human rights abuses' and claimed a review of products in the cinema's bar has already started. The board also said it would continue to platform global filmmakers including Palestinian artists. 'Following a period of careful reflection, legal advice, and consultation with staff and community stakeholders, we consider the above approach to be in line with our legal duties as charity trustees and in the best interests of the charity, as opposed to formal and wholesale endorsement of BDS or PACBI,' the statement went on.
Glasgow Times
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow Film Theatre decides to not endorse Israel boycott movement
Glasgow Film announced on Thursday that it wouldn't fully endorse either the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement or the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The cinema said this was in order to retain 'independent decision making' and uphold its 'commitment to Cinema For All'. It comes after a boycott by the GFT's front-of-house and cleaning teams on handling any goods connected to the BDS movement led to Coca-Cola products no longer being served. Art Workers for Palestine Scotland then published an open letter to the GFT calling for the cinema to adhere to the (BDS) movement and endorse PACBI. The letter was signed by more than 1400 and included the likes of Ghassan Abu-Sittah, rector of the University of Glasgow and filmmaker Ken Loach. But Glasgow Film has decided to not formally endorse the movement. 'The Board of Trustees at Glasgow Film recognise the horrific humanitarian crisis in Gaza and are appalled by the ongoing loss of Palestinian lives,' a statement read. 'We understand the depth and diversity of feeling within our staff, audiences, and wider communities, and we acknowledge the calls from artists and activists for cultural and consumer boycotts in solidarity with Palestinians. 'We also recognise the rising levels of anti-semitism, Islamophobia and polarisation in our communities and condemn any kind of racism or discrimination.' (Image: PA) The statement added: 'As an independent charity, trustees are legally required to act in the best interests of the charity, and in line with its charitable objects which are, for Glasgow Film, principally to educate the public about film. To meet this obligation, we believe that all decisions, including those relating to ethical purchasing and programming, should be taken independently, and on a case-by-case basis, informed by robust internal policies and processes.' They announced a review and refresh 'in consultation with staff' on their ethical policies and 'assess any connections to human rights abuses' and claimed a review of products in the cinema's bar has already started. The board also said it would continue to platform global filmmakers including Palestinian artists. 'Following a period of careful reflection, legal advice, and consultation with staff and community stakeholders, we consider the above approach to be in line with our legal duties as charity trustees and in the best interests of the charity, as opposed to formal and wholesale endorsement of BDS or PACBI,' the statement went on.
The National
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
'Statements' won't stop UK complicity in Israel's violence in Gaza
Glasgow University's rector, Palestinian surgeon Ghassan Abu-Sittah, and independent MP Jeremy Corbyn both accused the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary of being 'complicit in the mass murder of Palestinians' after the UK Government sent the plane to surveil Gaza just hours after David Lammy described Israel's actions in the region as 'monstrous'. Shortly after Lammy made the statement calling out Israel for stopping aid entering Gaza and for its ongoing bombardment of Palestinians, The National reported on how the UK Government sent a Shadow R1 spy plane – coded RFR7144 – from the Cyprus base RAF Akrotiri to monitor Gaza. The RAF describes Shadow R1 planes as being capable of 'comprehensive intelligence gathering' that is 'particularly valuable to ground commanders'. Lammy also said that the UK Government would continue to supply F-35 parts to Israel following the announcement that Labour had ended talks towards a free trade deal with the country. Corbyn told The National: 'The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary can make as many statements regretting Israel's offensive as they like. 'Until this government ends its military co-operation with Israel, it remains complicit in the mass murder of Palestinians. "What more is there to say?' Meanwhile Abu-Sittah, a world-leading expert on war-injured patients and children, condemned Labour for increasing the export of weapons in the latter months of 2024. The National reported last week that in the last quarter of 2024, the Labour Government exported more weapons to Israel than the Tories did from 2020-2023. READ MORE: BBC bins complaint over host's claim 'it's understandable Israel rounds people up' The total was more than the Tories had licensed for export to Israel between 2020-2023 combined, but Lammy dismissed the figures in a report by The National as 'clickbait'. 'The UK Government is a willing and eager partner in the genocide,' he said. 'The Labour Party increased its contribution of arms to genocide so that more starving Palestinian children are slaughtered by UK manufactured weapons.' Earlier this week, the Labour administration said information gathered by the British spy plane would only be shared if it was deemed relevant to securing the release of hostages held by Hamas within the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday, Starmer responded to SNP MP Kirsty Blackman on why Labour are sending fighter jet parts to Israel by saying that they could not block the exports without jeopardising UK military operations elsewhere. The UK Government has been approached for comment.
