We stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine, who continue to endure displacement and genocidal violence at the hands of Western imperialist powers, settler-colonialists and the Zionist entity.
We pledge to join the Palestinian-led international call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) and to comply with guidelines set out by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI).
Our pledge to uphold the principles of PACBI includes the following commitments:
– Boycotting cultural products and events funded or commissioned by official Israeli institutions
– Refraining from participation in cultural cooperation, collaboration or joint projects with complicit Israeli institutions
– Refraining from hosting or circulating cultural products and events that seek to normalize oppression, or present a false symmetry between oppressors and people facing oppression
– Supporting Palestinian cultural institutions directly without requiring them to partner with Israeli counterparts
Examples of upholding these commitments include:
– Not performing at or in cooperation with complicit Israeli cultural institutions or events
– Not platforming or extending recognition to complicit Israeli cultural organizations
– Not hosting cultural events sponsored by official Israeli institutions or complicit institutions
– Not platforming or promoting cultural products commissioned by official Israeli institutions or institutions serving Brand Israel or similar propaganda purposes
As a platform for music, culture and the arts, we believe this commitment is a vital, necessary action and a moral duty. We believe true solidarity with Palestinian people requires both vocal support and concrete actions that challenge and seek to dismantle systems of oppression.
We urge fellow cultural platforms, organizations and artists to join us in endorsing PACBI’s call – contact Writers Against the War on Gaza to get involved.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.
About PACBI
PACBI was initiated in 2004 as part of the struggle for Palestinian freedom, justice and equality. It advocates for a boycott of Israeli academic and cultural institutions for their deep and persistent complicity in Israel’s denial of Palestinian rights that are stipulated in international law.
PACBI is committed to freedom of expression and as such rejects boycotts of individuals based on their opinion or identity (such as citizenship, race, gender, or religion).
In alignment with the BDS movement’s anti-racist principles, PACBI is targeted towards institutions and complicit organizations, rather than individuals or identities.
Click here to learn more about PACBI via the BDS website.
Image: PACBI