Latest news with #andSanctions
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow Film Theatre praised by pro-Israel lobby group over BDS vote
The charity's trustees declined to back the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), despite calls from employees and patrons to do so. Caroline Turner, director of UK Lawyers for Israel said: 'We are pleased that the Trustees of GFT have decided to reject these endorsements. These campaigns were part of a central Palestinian boycotting organisation whose aim is the destruction of the Jewish State. 'The film theatre had upset many of its regular Jewish film goers by its boycott of Coca Cola products earlier this year, and the anti-Israel statements made by some of its staff.' The BDS movement calls for a boycott of all Israeli goods. The BDS movement was set up by 170 Palestinian civil groups in 2005 as a form of non-violent "pressure" on Israel and has gained worldwide support, often being compared to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. The collective has called on Israel to 'end its colonisation and occupation' of Arab lands, recognise the 'fundamental rights' of Arab-Palestien citizens of Israel, and 'respect and protect' the rights of Palestinian refugees. Adherents of the movement advocate for a full economic and cultural boycott of Israeli goods and companies, and protest against international companies with close ties to the Israeli state. Three members of the GFT's trustee board resigned in protest over the cinema's decision. A joint statement reads: '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 toward our unionised workers.' In February, Unite Hospitality union members, which make up 85% of front-of-house and cleaning staff at the cinema, announced they would refuse to serve Coca-Cola products due to the company's ties to Israel. This led to the removal of the brand from the GFT bar. Coca Cola was among the products to be banned at the GFT (Image: PA).The theatre was hit with a legal threat after UK Lawyers for Israel wrote a letter to charity regulator OSCR alleging the boycott breached the cinema's 'charitable objects'. The complaint was ultimately dismissed. In a statement published on Thursday evening, the charity said: '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.' The cinema's board also said that a full review of their 'ethical policies and practices' would be carried out, including the sale of products in their bar, and that the work of Palestinian artists would continue to be platformed. UKLFI's Turner added: 'It is good news that the GFT is now considering ethical and inclusive programming and purchasing. We hope that their inclusive programming will also include Israeli films.' The GFT board voted against endorsing the BDS movement. (Image: Newsquest) However, angry patrons hit out as news of the decision spread online Thursday night. Ruth Gilbert, national campaigns chair for Living Rent, posted to X: 'This is pathetic and embarrassing. Against the will of your unionised staff, your customers, and members of your board, you can't even commit to the bare minimum of solidarity with the Palestinian people? Many will vote with their feet if you don't reconsider.' Similarly, Emma Diamond remarked: 'So disappointed to read this, as a long term member & supporter I really hoped for better. 'It's not enough to pledge to platform Palestinian voices, what voices will there be left to 'platform' if this genocide continues.' Andy Ashe added: 'Apart from the obvious ethical consequences, I think you have vastly underestimated your customers' commitment to Palestine.' In response to the decision, campaign group Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: 'We ask audiences, film-workers and partners, to email the Chief Executive of GFT Allison Gardner to make your voice heard and demand a reversal to this decision which undermines GFT's very reason for existence as an independent cinema. "GFT directly benefits in numerous ways from the optics of screening radical anti-colonial films. We refuse to let them disguise their lack of ethics with a progressive veneer. GFT is publicly funded and we, the public, are here to assert that film is political. We will not back down.'
The National
3 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.
Middle East Eye
19-05-2025
- Business
- Middle East Eye
US: Illinois state lawmakers attempt long-shot repeal of BDS ban
Progressive members of the Democratic supermajority in the Illinois General Assembly are pushing forward a bill to reverse the decade-old state ban on boycotts of Israel, Capital News Illinois reported on Sunday. Since 2015, Illinois has forbidden the investment of state pension funds in companies that engage in any form of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. The official BDS Movement was launched 20 years ago as a means of non-violent action in the face of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, modelled on the approach that ended Apartheid in South Africa. In the US, 38 states now have some measure of an anti-BDS law that prevents a company or an individual from receiving government contracts if they demonstrate an anti-Israel stance. Ten years ago, Illinois was at the forefront of the campaign. The state set up the Illinois Investment Policy Board for the sole purpose of looking into whether certain companies act against Israeli interests, Capital News pointed out. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The current list of 30 banned companies includes Air Canada, which apologised earlier this year after passengers reported that some of its in-flight maps did not label the state of Israel and instead opted for "Palestinian territories." Uniliver, the parent company of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, is also on the list after it decided in 2021 not to sell its products in the territories Israel occupied after 1967 - namely the occupied West Bank in this case - because it is, according to the United Nations, 'an internationally recognised illegal occupation", the company maintained. Now, Illinois Democrat and the first Palestinian American elected to the state legislature, Abdelnasser Rashid, has introduced House Bill 2723 to repeal the anti-boycott law. 'This is about the right for people to advocate for what they believe - in this particular case, for human rights advocacy - without the state telling you what you have to believe and how you have to act," Rashid said, according to Capital News. 'It is a matter of making sure that Illinois is on the right side of history - not participating in the oppression of the Palestinian people - but it is also about making sure the Illinoisans and companies that do business in Illinois are not being forced and bullied and retaliated against because they chose to stand for human rights.' While one-fifth of the Democratic caucus, including the leaders of the Latino, Black, and Progressive caucuses, initially supported the bill, Capital News said, it has been stalled. With a Democratic supermajority in place, progressives likely want to take advantage of the tide, especially with multiple polls showing support for Israel among the American public is dropping. At the same time, there may be pressure from the top to shelve the bill, given the pro-Israel billionaire and Democratic Governor JB Pritzker is an expected presidential nominee for the 2028 election, and will not want perceived anti-Israel movement within his state to hold back his campaign, Capital News reported. The news report cited J Street - a pro-Israel advocacy group - as not taking a position on boycott laws either way, as long as boycotts are "initiatives which are limited to opposing the occupation" along the 1967 lines, versus calls to abolish the entire state of Israel. At the senate level in the Illinois legislature, some lawmakers have pulled their co-sponsorship of that chamber's anti-Israel boycott bill in recent weeks. Dick Simpson, a professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago, told Capital News: 'Why should they vote on something that isn't going to pass and then cause some constituents to be mad at them?'
Gizmodo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
Anti-Defamation League Pushes Google to Reject Review of Human Rights Abuses
The Anti-Defamation League is lobbying Alphabet, the parent company of Google, to vote down a shareholder proposal that would require the company to investigate whether its cloud services (specifically Project Nimbus, which is a contract with the Israeli government) are aiding human rights abuses in conflict zones (you know, like Gaza). Alphabet is expected to vote on the proposal at its next shareholder meeting on June 6th. This week, the ADL sent a letter to Alphabet in which it described the proposal as a 'ploy' by the Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions movement, which has long sought to curb American aid to the Israeli war machine. 'Proposal 9 offers the pretense of concern for human rights when in fact it is a thinly disguised ploy to weaken Israel's national security — and to undermine its right to defend itself — by pressuring Alphabet to withhold vital technology that supports the country's self-defense capabilities,' said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League. Nimbus is described by Google as 'cloud services to digitally transform the State of Israel.' What Nimbus is actually used for is still somewhat unclear. It is a cloud and AI system, so ostensibly it could be used for a lot of different things. Human rights groups have repeatedly asked for more information about the project, to no avail. Google isn't the only large U.S. company involved in the project. Amazon is another major stakeholder that has provided cloud infrastructure. Inside the company, concerns have swirled over whether Israel's increasingly genocidal policies against the Palestinians may lead to legal action against Google for its complicity in the carnage. In December, the New York Times reported that company lawyers were concerned that 'Google Cloud services could be used for, or linked to, the facilitation of human rights violations, including Israeli activity in the West Bank.' Over the past year, Israel has decimated the Palestinian population in Gaza, leading to widespread condemnations of 'genocide' and to war crime charges filed by the International Criminal Court against the nation's leader, Benjamin Netanyahu. Some 50,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed as a result of Israel's assault, the majority of whom have been women and children, according to one UN estimate. Amidst its blitzkrieg of the region, Israel has targeted journalists and healthcare workers with impunity and has openly targeted hospitals and other critical infrastructure. The government recently announced plans to permanently occupy and 'flatten' all of Gaza. Google's corporate kerfuffle over the Nimbus-related shareholder proposal also comes at the same time that The Intercept has revealed the degree to which the company intuited that Nimbus could prove problematic before it ever provided services to the Israeli government. The information is based on a confidential internal report from 2021 that showed executives' anxieties about the potential for the deal to spin out of the tech company's control. 'Google Cloud Services could be used for, or linked to, the facilitation of human rights violations, including Israeli activity in the West Bank,' resulting in 'reputation harm,' Google worried. Even more problematically, Google worried that it would have a limited ability to control what Israel did with Nimbus. Due to the way in which the deal was structured, the project—once in Israel's hands—would largely be beyond Google's control. The report states that the company would 'be constrained by the terms of the tender, as Customers are entitled to use services for any reason except violation of applicable law to the Customer.' The Intercept article also makes clear the degree to which the Nimbus deal has wedded Google to the Israeli national security state. The article notes that the contract obligated the creation of a secret Israeli team within Google that was capable of handling the covert nature of the effort: …Project Nimbus entails a deep collaboration between Google and the Israeli security state through the creation of a Classified Team within Google. This team is made up of Israeli nationals within the company with security clearances, designed to 'receive information by [Israel] that cannot be shared with [Google].' Google's Classified Team 'will participate in specialized training with government security agencies,' the first report states, as well as 'joint drills and scenarios tailored to specific threats.' Google has spent years attempting to tamp down criticism (both from inside its own ranks and from outside groups) over its ties to the Israeli government. Concerned Googlers have frequently lobbied for the tech giant to cut ties with Project Nimbus. Meanwhile, groups like No Tech for Apartheid have continually sought to condemn the project and its potential role in the ongoing atrocities being committed by the Israeli government. Publicly, Google has never expressed anything approaching concern, maintaining that Nimbus is a critical program for a key ally in the Middle East.
