Scottish cultural workers announce their boycott of Israel

Cultural boycotts work. One only has to look at how artists, writers and cultural institutions contributed to the end of Apartheid in South Africa. Today, many of the leading members of Scotland’s cultural community have made a joint statement outlining a Scottish Cultural Workers Boycott of Israel. They describe this boycott as an act of solidarity with the people of Palestine and a show of opposition to the unfolding humanitarian crisis created by Israel’s brutal attacks on and collective punishment of Gaza.

Signatories include musicians Young Fathers, Kathryn Joseph and Jill O’Sullivan; artists Hanna Tuuluki, George Finlay Ramsay and Jamie Wardrop; poets Iona Lee and Jim Monaghan; filmmakers Morag McKinnon, Samir Mehanovic and Paul Sng; journalists Joyce McMillan, Neil Cooper and Arusa Qureshi; actors Gerda Stevenson, Linda Duncan McLaughlin and Tam Dean Burn; theatre-makers Peter Arnott, Tony Reekie and Cora Bissett; and authors Irvine Welsh, Darren McGarvey and James Kelman. 

Kelman, the award-winning author of Dirt Road, A Disaffection and How Late It Was, How Late, said: “What else can I do but stand with the Palestinian people. The monstrosities committed by the Israeli State not so much denies their right to live in their own place, it denies their humanity. The Israeli State is saying to the world the Palestinian people have no value, they are worthless, we can do as we wish. This is what happens during a genocide. Imperialist authority demonstrates to indigenous peoples that they are inferior forms of humanity. The British State fails to act to put an end to the slaughter and is therefore guilty of aiding and abetting in barbarism. The people of Britain must say no to this. We must express our solidarity with the people of Palestine. Their lifeblood is in this struggle.”

The powerful collective statement calls for an immediate ceasefire, for increased humanitarian aid and for all hostages and political prisoners to be released.

The full statement and the list of current signatories are below.

Scottish Cultural Workers Boycott Israel

In response to the call from Palestinian civil society for a cultural boycott of Israel, we pledge to reject any invitation to perform or exhibit in Israel, nor to accept any funding from any institution linked to the government of Israel, or to participate in events supported by the military and arms companies enabling war in Palestine.

As cultural workers we refuse to allow our art to be exploited by an apartheid state that disregards international law and universal principles of human rights.

We call for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid and stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza and wider Palestine. We call for the release of all hostages and political prisoners.

Jim Kelman - Writer
Hanna Tuuluki - Artist 
Jim Sutherland - Producer/Composer
Dougie Strang - Writer
Kathryn Joseph - Musician
Adam Ramsay - Journalist
Christopher Brookmyre - Writer
Jim Monaghan - Poet
Layla-Roxanne Hill - Author
Christopher Silver - Writer
Kevin Williamson - Writer
Peter Arnott - Playwright
Jamie Wardrop - Artist
Tam Dean Burn - Artist
Tony Reekie - Theatre Director
Gerry Loose - Poet
Iona Fyffe - Musician
George Finlay Ramsay - Artist
Halina Rifai - Podcast Producer
Gerda Stevenson - Actor, Writer
Kris Drever - Musician
Aidan O’Rourke - Musician
Eliza Carthy - Musician
Morag McKinnon - Film Director
Ross Ainslie - Musician
Su-a Lee  - Musician
Ken McCluskey - Musician
Kate Donnelly - Actor, Director
Darren McGarvey - Musician, Author
Sophie Ramsay - Singer
Dr Alex Boyd - Photographer
Rory Scothorne - Writer
Aly Bain - Musician
Joyce McMillan - Journalist
Dave Maric - Composer
Mike Small - Writer
Angus Farquhar - Creative Director
Karen Matheson - Singer
Iona Lee - Poet-Artist
Linda Duncan McLaughlin - Writer, Actor
Gordon Mackinnon - Artist/Musician
Neil Cooper - Writer
Paul Sng - Filmmaker
Arusa Qureshi - Writer, Music programmer
David McKay - Actor
Calum Colvin - Artist
Dave Hook - Musician
Irvine Welsh - Writer
Robert Alan Jamieson - Poet
Stanley Odd - Band
George Gunn - Poet
Stephen Greenhorn - Dramatist
Skye Reynolds - Dancer
Samir Mehanovic - Film Maker
Cora Bissett - Actor/Director
Keith McIvor - DJ/Producer
Jonnie Wilkes - DJ/Producer
Jill O’Sullivan - Musician
Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir- Director, Playwright
Young Fathers - Musicians

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You can find more information on this boycott, and add your signature to the list, over at Bella Caledonia: bellacaledonia.org.uk/2024/03/22/a-scottish-cultural-workers-boycott-of-israel