Latest news with #PalestinianCampaignfortheAcademicandCulturalBoycottofIsrael
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Glasgow Film Theatre board members quit after Israel boycott decision
On Thursday, The National told how Glasgow Film – the company which runs the GFT – said it would not fully endorse either the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement or the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). Glasgow Film said this was in order to retain "independent decision making" and uphold its "commitment to Cinema For All". READ MORE: 'Do something!': Question Time audience member in fiery row with Labour MP on Israel Now, three members of the GFT board have resigned, raising concerns about the processes leading to the decision. Dr Sarah Wishart, one of the members who quit, claimed the board had not signed off on any letters or statements regarding the decision before they had been sent to staff and the media. On Thursday, Wishart shared a statement on social media, which the three members read out during a board meeting on Tuesday. It reads: "Unfortunately, due to the decision making and processes leading up to this evening, we have no choice but to resign from the board of Glasgow Film Theatre, effective immediately. "This is a decision which we undertook with great thought, care and consideration. "We recognised our responsibility as board members, and wished to see issues related to BDS/PACBI through to their conclusion. "However, we cannot, in good conscience, continue to serve on the board of the GFT. "In addition to our concerns related to governance and decision-making processes, we are also deeply concerned about the attitude the GFT has shown towards our unionised workers. READ MORE: Gaza ceasefire talks continue as Israel issues forced displacement orders "We intend to follow this statement with individual written resignations to formally conclude our time on the board." 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. Glasgow Film has been contacted for comment.
The National
4 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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.
Saba Yemen
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
"Israel's Red Card": Renewed Efforts to Expel Enemy from FIFA
Gaza – Saba: The global boycott movement continues its efforts to isolate Israel globally and expose its crimes, which it seeks to whitewash or conceal through cultural and sporting activities. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), an arm of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, seeks to expel the Israeli Football Association from FIFA and ban the enemy from representing it internationally, according to the Iranian Tasnim News Agency. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
STV News
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood says UK shows cancelled because of credible threats
Radiohead musician Jonny Greenwood has said his forthcoming UK shows were cancelled because of 'credible threats'. The guitarist and keyboardist has collaborated with Israeli-born rock musician Dudu Tassa for more than a decade, and the pair were due to perform at Bristol Beacon's Lantern Hall and London's Hackney Church in June, after releasing the record Jarak Qaribak in 2023. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (Pacbi), a member of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, welcomed the axing of the gigs. It had launched a campaign for the venues to cancel the dates, claiming the duo's performances 'would have whitewashed' the war in the Gaza Strip. The campaigners said that Greenwood and Tassa's claims were 'unsubstantiated' and were an attempt to divert attention from their links to Israel's cultural community. On Tuesday, a letter from Greenwood, Tassa and their musicians said: 'The venues and their blameless staff have received enough credible threats to conclude that it's not safe to proceed. Promoters of the shows can't be expected to fund our, or our audience's, protection.' The letter added that the 'cancellation will be hailed as a victory by the campaigners behind it, but we see nothing to celebrate and don't find that anything positive has been achieved'. It went on: 'Forcing musicians not to perform and denying people who want to hear them an opportunity to do so is self-evidently a method of censorship and silencing. 'We believe art exists above and beyond politics; that art that seeks to establish the common identity of musicians across borders in the Middle East should be encouraged, not decried; and that artists should be free to express themselves regardless of their citizenship or their religion – and certainly regardless of the decisions made by their governments.' The musicians said their touring show also features singers from Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait and Iraq, with 'each of the members brought together by a shared love of Arabic song, regardless of where exactly they all happened to be born'. 'We find ourselves in the odd position of being condemned by both ends of the political spectrum,' they added. 'For some on the right, we're playing the 'wrong' kind of music – too inclusive, too aware of the rich and beautiful diversity of Middle Eastern culture. For some on the left, we're only playing it to absolve ourselves of our collective sins. 'We dread the weaponisation of this cancellation by reactionary figures as much as we lament its celebration by some progressives.' They also cited artists defending Northern Irish rappers Kneecap, saying they 'feel the need to register our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom', after the trio were criticised when one member appeared to call for Tory MPs to be killed. 'We have no judgment to pass on Kneecap but note how sad it is that those supporting their freedom of expression are the same ones most determined to restrict ours. 'We agree completely with people who ask 'How can this be more important than what's happening in Gaza and Israel?' They're right – it isn't. How could it be? What, in anyone's upcoming cultural life, is?' They said their Arab musicians, singers and music are 'toweringly important', and if they get to play together again it will be a 'victory for our shared love and respect of the music – and of each other'. Greenwood, also a two-time Oscar-nominated composer, was criticised by pro-Palestinian groups last year for performing in Tel Aviv amid the war in Gaza. Radiohead had performed at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv in 2017, when the group's frontman, Thom Yorke, reportedly told the crowd: 'A lot was said about this, but in the end we played some music.' Former BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac, Paul Weller and Primal Scream are among the artists who have have opposed politicians calling for Kneecap to be dropped from the Glastonbury Festival line-up. Videos of a member of Kneecap allegedly saying 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP' in November 2023 and another of one of the group appearing to shout 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah' in November 2024 are being investigated by counter-terrorism officers. The Diocese of London said: 'Hackney Church was informed last Friday by the promoter that the event wouldn't be going ahead and was instructed by the promoter to inform those who had bought tickets that they would receive a full refund.' A spokeswoman for Pacbi said: 'Jonny Greenwood and Dudu Tassa have turned to unsubstantiated claims, attempting to divert attention from this ongoing complicity.' The statement added their pressure was 'peaceful', and also said: 'Tens of thousands of artists, writers and cultural workers and a growing number of arts organisations have publicly endorsed the cultural boycott of Israel's complicit cultural sector, as called for by Pacbi more than two decades ago.' Bristol Beacon, Avon and Somerset Police, and the Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
