Palestine

The leadership contest is likely to be a missed opportunity for making Labour a serious anti-war party, argues Alex Snowdon 

The fight for a free Palestine will not stop until there is justice and equality for all, writes Gabriel Polley

Sybil Cock looks at the US's recognition of Israeli settlements, what this change represents and why it's another reason to protest Trump's visit

Corbynism from Below is a wide-ranging collection of thoughtful essays on this historic opportunity for the left to transform society, finds Kevin Ovenden

Attacking a human rights organisation is a brazen attempt to hide the brutal reality of the occupation, writes Thomas Gibbs

The divides in Israeli civil society are still rooted in the state’s dispossession of the Palestinians, writes Kevin Ovenden

Boris Johnson's meetings with Netanyahu and Pence were about coordinating the drive to war with Iran, writes Lucy Nichols

Even with only a day's notice, London can make Netanyahu feel unwelcome, reports Ellen Graubert

The world's worst arms dealers will be gathering to exhibit their instruments of death at London's ExCel Centre once again, writes Lucy Nichols

Israel's refusal of two US congresswomen is unacceptable but highlights the strength of BDS, writes Thomas Gibbs

The IHRA definition is being used to stifle Palestine activism, exactly as activists had warned it would, report Chris Nineham and Sybil Cock

It’s eyes-on-the-prize time for our side as ruling class instability reaches new heights, argues Alex Snowdon 

When the left steps up and organises against the attacks, it can win, as shown in Vancouver, reports John Clarke

A personal account of a magnificent day of solidarity and internationalism from Orlando da Rocha Hill

The BBC's Panorama on antisemitism in the Labour Party provides no real evidence and shows how cynical the smear campaign is, argues David McAllister

Apologising for an epidemic of antisemitism in Labour that isn't there and giving in to the right's demands has only accelerated the attacks, argues Lindsey German

Canada becomes the next major player in the international drive to weaponise false allegations of antisemitism to protect Israel, writes John Clarke

Following the grand unveiling of its economic elements in Bahrain, Sean Ledwith picks apart Kushner's sham 'Deal of the Century'

Seeing the everyday reality of the Palestinian struggle is also seeing why our solidarity with the Palestinians is so important, writes Shabbir Lakha

As protests against Trump's bogus 'peace' plan erupt across the world, Shabbir Lakha reports from Ramallah

Shabbir Lakha calls on the movement to be loud and clear in its opposition to Zionism

For Labour to beat the right, the left must stop retreating, argues John Rees

Protest against Trump's state visit, austerity and record levels of inequality, Algeria in revolt, Marxism made easy, Palestine, eco-demands and more in this month's Counterfire Freesheet

Thousands of protesters marched through London on Saturday showing that solidarity with Palestine in Britain hasn't gone anywhere, reports Shabbir Lakha

Ahead of the Exist! Resist! Return! demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May, Counterfire asked leading activists about why joining this protest is so important

Israel is not acting in self-defence, it's the Palestinian people who are under attack and we need to stand with them, argues Shabbir Lakha

Israel's deadly assault on Gaza on the weekend should be a reminder to all that solidarity with Palestine is urgent, argues Thomas Gibbs

Ahead of the National Demonstration for Palestine, Morgan Daniels speaks to Dani Abulhawa about SkatePal

A general election with a People’s Brexit is our escape route from this Westminster quagmire, argues Lindsey German 

The Stop the War Coalition supported Lowkey's recent tour around the country, this is a video of National Officer Shabbir Lakha speaking at the London concert

With Trump and Netanyahu wreaking havoc, it's time for mass solidarity with Palestine, argues Lindsey German

John Rees on what anti-Zionism does and does not mean

Israelis have voted for their preferred version of apartheid - we must stand with the Palestians, writes Sybil Cock

11 May is the mobilisation that the movement’s been waiting for, reports Sybil Cock

The soft coup against Corbyn and the weaponisation of antisemitism, Tory Brexit crisis, Winston Churchill, Venezuela, climate change, Palestine and more in this month's Counterfire Freesheet

Justice for Palestine is central to the left. The situation in Hebron is a good example why, argues Sybil Cock

Ilhan Omar is being attacked because she's a radical anti-imperialist, black, Muslim woman on the left, and deserves unconditional solidarity argues Shabbir Lakha

Ruling class power can’t be understood as a conspiracy, argues John Rees

The campaign to destabilise Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party has accelerated. We must oppose the attacks and defend the left, argues Kara Bryan.

The decision to suspend Chris Williamson is a capitulation to the right that only gives more ground for attacks on the left, argues Shabbir Lakha

There is no contradiction between recognising that antisemitism exists in Labour, and understanding that Corbyn is being smeared, argues Des Freedman

In the first of a monthly series, Sybil Cock lays out what Palestine solidarity must look like in practice 

With the contest taking place in Tel Aviv this year, we must supercharge campaigners’ demands for a full boycott, argues Dave Randall

Tory Brexit crisis, the fightback against austerity, Eurovision boycott campaign, Trump and Syria, remembering Rosa Luxemburg, Yellow Vests and protests across Europe in this month's Counterfire Freesheet

The most popular articles on Counterfire this year

Ten years on since the massacre of Operation Cast Lead, conditions in Gaza are worse than ever, argues Shabbir Lakha

BBC One's Little Drummer Girl manages to cut through some of the usual BBC bias when it comes to Israel and even criticises Britain's role, argues Sofie Mason

The ongoing assault on the Palestinian people is intensifying, and we need to up our response, argues Mona Kamal

Brexit crisis, arms sales to Yemen, the devastation caused by austerity, tackling the far right, Palestine, books of the year and more in this month's Counterfire freesheet

Shabbir Lakha on the history of Palestine and Tom Lock Griffiths on the excellent release They Came To a City' (1944) on DVD and Blu Ray in the fourth episode of Counterfire Media's Podcast

Dealing with inequality should be central to a radical socialist project, not something to be sidestepped, argues Cameron Panting

Chris Nineham and Tom Lock Griffiths discuss Labour Party conference and what it tells us about how the left can win in the first episode of Counterfire Media's new podcast

The left surge at Labour conference was impressive - now, if we want to win, we need to mobilise the whole movement

Conference shows strong support among Labour members for the Palestinian cause, reports Terina Hine

The left has seen a number of defeats at Labour Conference, but on the ground, there is burgeoning resistance, writes Chris Nineham

Israeli armed forces attacked Palestinian demonstrators as they demolished four homes, continuing a programme of hundreds this year. Jamie Naylor reports from the West Bank

Palestinians are increasingly restricted in daily life and access to the holy site due to an illegal wall and military raids, reports Jamie Naylor

Far from being an ‘isolationist’, Donald Trump has increased bombings, sanctions and war, argues Lindsey German

The attacks on Corbyn and the left this summer have been damaging, and can only be dealt with through political struggle, argues Kevin Potter

Supporting Palestine is an anti-racist, anti-colonial struggle; Israel is and always has been a racist state, argues Shabbir Lakha

Corbyn's leadership in danger, solidarity with Palestine, People's Vote vs People's Brexit, UK wage stagnation, Yemen and fighting the far right

Protesters rallied outside Labour Party HQ to defend Jeremy Corbyn and oppose the IHRA definition, Shabbir Lakha reports

Apologies and appeasement won’t stop the witch-hunt against Corbyn

Any concessions on anti-imperialism will not only weaken Jeremy Corbyn but the whole of the radical left, argues Lindsey German

Nothing will appease those who are determined to defeat Corbyn and diminish support for the Palestinians, argues Alex Snowdon

As the Toronto community stands firm against Zionist attacks, John Clarke reminds us that our solidarity with the Palestinian cause mustn't be apologised for 

This is a defining moment for the Corbyn project, and attacks over antisemitism and Palestine must be firmly opposed or they will escalate to chilling effect, argues Chris Nineham

Israel’s history, from its origins in 1948's Nakba, is characterised by racism, violence and apartheid policies towards Palestinians, explains Sybil Cock

Hundreds of Londoners rallied against the attacks on Jeremy Corbyn and Palestine on Tuesday, Shabbir Lakha reports

A short video explaining why adopting the full IHRA definition would be a mistake for Labour

Labour's NEC is under pressure to adopt the IHRA definition and some on the left are supporting this move. Alex Snowdon explains what's wrong with this logic

Corbyn is right – the left needs to fight back against the slander of antisemitism

A detailed account from Dr Swee Ang who was on board the boat that was intercepted and invaded by Israeli forces on its way to Gaza with medical aid

Right wing attacks on Corbyn have intensified. If we lose ground now, we will pay heavily in the future, argues Alex Snowdon

The only appropriate response to Margaret Hodge and her co-conspirators is to take them on politically and defeat them argues Alex Snowdon

The confrontation between Tamimi and the illiberal Israeli state is only one example of a system of violent persecution met by a relentless struggle, writes John Clarke

As Israel enshrines apartheid into law and Jeremy Corbyn is labelled an antisemite, Shabbir Lakha assesses the situation 

The Labour Party must not endorse Israeli violence, racism and apartheid policies as MPs have voted to do, argues Alex Snowdon

While the Labour right try to conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism, Israel just enshrined apartheid into law argues Mark Porciani

Trump's policies point towards regime change in Iran. The anti-war movement must stand firm, argues Shabbir Lakha 

Thousands of people poured into Whitehall on Tuesday to oppose the killing of unarmed protesters in Gaza, reports Tom Gibbs

Israel’s massacre of unarmed civilians shows that there’s no right kind of resistance for Palestinians and that Trump has legitimised their murder, argues Shabbir Lakha

As the resistance of Palestinians in Gaza continues despite horrific violence against them, we must continue to show solidarity and protest, argues Shabbir Lakha

Windrush, May 68, Palestine, UCU strike, Marx and more - Counterfire freesheet edition 025, May 2018

The Last Earth tells the moving stories of eight Palestinian women’s and men’s experiences of persecution and the refugee camps, finds Ellen Graubart

Speaking at a London Counterfire event, Kevin Ovenden discusses what the protests in Gaza are about and how Palestine can be free

Israeli soldiers fired live rounds and teargas into thousands of Palestinians rallying for a second week for the right to return to occupied lands

An unarmed, civilian protest from a people who have been oppressed for decades, results in bloodshed and massacre.

Tens of thousands marched peacefully for the right to return to the occupied territories, but IDF soldiers shot to kill, reports Jack Hazeldine, with 6 weeks of protest ahead

The antisemitism smear campaign against Jeremy Corbyn is cynical political point scoring and the left must tackle the arguments head on argues Shabbir Lakha

International Women's Day is not just about the struggles of the past. It is about the recognition of women fighting now

Shabbir Lakha reflects on the twentieth century imperial imposition that continues to blight global justice

The Tory manufactured crisis in the NHS, Carillion, Labour, Palestine, Grenfell and more...

On the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, Kevin Ovenden takes on the mistaken politics of relativisation and argues that Europe must take responsibility for its history.

The treatment of Ahed Tamimi is not uncommon for the children of Palestine and shows Israel's systemic oppression of Palestinians clearly argues Shabbir Lakha

As we start the new year, Alex Snowdon looks back at the political developments of the last year with a view of what to expect from 2018

The arrest of Ahed Tamimi, a symbol of resistance to ongoing Israeli occupation, has put systemic maltreatment and detention of Palestinian children in the spotlight argues Huda Ammori

Trump's announcement last week marks the end of the peace process and once again Palestinians have been left in the dark argues Ahmad Muna from Jerusalem

The end of the first phase of Brexit negotiations is neither the restoring of Theresa May's fortunes nor an indication that the Irish situation is stable argues Lindsey German

The villagers of Susiya appeal to the international community to stand with them in the face of enforced expulsion by the Israeli state

Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital has international law implications, infringes on Palestinian rights and could be a calculated move argues Shabbir Lakha

Having had the criminal charges for shutting down an Israeli arms factory against her dropped, Huda Ammori explains why this is a victory for BDS

The coverage of the Priti Patel affair has been largely focused on the breach of the Ministerial code, but it goes deeper than that argues Shabbir Lakha

Priti Patel's secret meetings have put Israeli influence in British politics in the spotlight, but we need a wider conversation, including about Emily Thornberry argues Shabbir Lakha

Marking the centenary of the Balfour Declaration, thousands of people marched in London to show solidarity with Palestine

A letter from an 11 year old Palestinian refugee to Theresa May asking her to rethink celebrating the Balfour Declaration centenary.

Democracy and the national question are pivotal issues in today’s Europe, argues Lindsey German

The Balfour Declaration was the prelude to violent settler colonialism in Palestine argues Alex Snowdon and explains why thousands will be protesting not celebrating.

Bernard Regan launches his new book "The Balfour Declaration" as the centenary of the infamous event that started the Israel-Palestine conflict approaches.

The University of Manchester's decision to celebrate a document that has led to a hundred years of crimes against the Palestinians cannot be allowed to stand unchallenged, argues Huda Ammori

Let’s ensure that the increased Israeli oppression around the Al Aqsa mosque re-energises the BDS movement, argues Alex Snowdon 

The demand for change is growing

By ignoring the pleas of Palestinians, the band will help the Israeli government’s propaganda effort, writes Dave Randall

After a weekend of numerous mass mobilisations, Lindsey German analyses the growing mood to fight

The media’s refusal to report on the plight of the Palestinians works to normalise the Israeli occupation, writes Jen Izaakson

On the 69th anniversary of the Nakba and with 1,500 Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike, Nourhan Ashraf Elsayed looks at how activists are showing solidarity

The US reaction to a UN report describing Israel as an apartheid state demonstrates its potential legal power as well as in the movement argues Nourhan Ashraf Elsayed

As Mark Regev prepares to speak at SOAS later this month, students have called a protest against his proposed visit

The world famous graffitist is using his fame and fortune to challenge hegemony on the West Bank, notes Kara Bryan

Trump and Netanyahu usher in a new level of US-Israel cooperation, but as far right antisemitism grows the narrative cracks argues Shabbir Lakha

Theresa May is up to her neck in the old business of ignoring Israeli crimes, argues Kara Bryan

An arms manufacturer was shut down for a day as the Big Ride came to Staffordshire, reports Orlando Hill

The furore over alleged antisemitism in Labour is a smear on the party’s left and an attempt to delegitimise criticism of Israel, argues Reuben Bard-Rosenberg

Leo Fischer argues the best response to accusations of antisemitism is to educate, organise and emphasise the continuing human rights abuses committed in Palestine

The occupation of Palestine by Israeli forces is not dissimilar to apartheid South Africa, argues Koos Mohammed

Defending Malia Bouattia's record as an anti-racist campaigner, Shelly Asquith argues that the NUS has the right to criticse Israeli politics

Kara Bryan asks how the press ignore these latest attacks while the Bitterites use charges of anti-Semitism to damage Jeremy Corbyn

Jeff Halper’s War Against the People exposes the global role of Israel’s military and security industry, finds Kit Klarenberg

The Blairites' crocodile tears are about defending empire, writes David Moyles in this introduction to The Jews, Israel and the Holocaust 

John Rees explains why a secular, democratic state across historic Palestine has nothing in common with anti-semitism

We repost the Jewish Socialists' Group's response to claims that Jeremy Corbyn is tolerating a growth of antisemitism in the Labour Party

Palestinians, with their incredible courage and hope, will fight for their survival. Ellen Graubert reports from the demonstration on Saturday

This first-hand account of life on the ground under Operation Protective Edge shows the suffering, resilience and dignity of the people of Gaza, finds Adam Tomes

Review of a Beirut memoir by Nesreen Salem

Campaigners are targeting UK arms companies as a new report exposes their role in supporting the infrastructure of Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine reports Elliot Murphy

An appeal for funding for a trip to Palestine, to bear witness to the everyday violence of war and occupation

Israel needs enemies if its current state form is to survive, according to Norman Finkelstein, explaining the motivation for its atrocities. Kit Klarenberg reviews Method and Madness

As Israel goes to the polls Elliot Murphy looks at the ongoing cost of last year's assault on Gaza

Ride frontman Mark Gardener has agreed to perform in Tel Aviv. Tommy Mack looks at the arguments around the cultural boycott of Israel

Former detainee Nahlo Abdo's meticulous study reveals the hidden voices of Palestinian female political prisoners. Review by Ellen Graubart

Lindsey German looks at twelve features of last year that will shape politics in the year ahead

Kevin Ovenden looks at the legacy of Yasser Arafat on the tenth anniversary of his death

Video from a Stop the War Coalition rally on the eve of protests in Newport against the Nato summit, with Boris Kagarlitsky, Sami Ramadani and Lindsey German

John Rees speaking at a protest outside Downing Street - called in response to the UK government continuing to supply arms to Israel. Video by Paul Hanes

327 Jewish survivors and descendants of survivors and victims of the Nazi genocide have signed this letter written in response to Elie Wiesel’s manipulation of the Nazi Genocide to attempt to justify the attacks on Gaza

The deranged expansionist policies of Nato are implicated in the wars in Gaza, Ukraine and Iraq argues Chris Nineham

Reuben Bard-Rosenberg: the Palestine solidarity movement must remain intolerant of anti-Semitism - but the claim that anti-Semitism is a dominant or generalised feature needs to be exposed as the falsehood that it is

In this interview, Tariq Ali discusses the recent Israel, Palestine, the BDS movment, the rise of ISIS, and Obama’s commitment to long-term US involvement in Iraq.

Attempts by the likes of Ari Shavit to defend Israeli policy in Palestine wear ever thinner, as shown by Norman Finkelstein’s robust critique in Old Wine, Broken Bottle, finds Rohan Bundell

Palestinian groups and individuals inside and outside of historic Palestine have signed the following statement in solidarity with their brethren in Ferguson, Missouri.

The Israeli government appears to have gone beyond its previous policy of keeping Gaza on the brink of collapse and adopted a policy aimed at unmaking Palestinian society in Gaza

Lindsey German explains why people are on the streets over Gaza. There is a deep and longstanding movement in solidarity with the Palestinians, and anger over the British government's complicity with Israeli crimes

Des Freedman on the outrageous advertisement run by the Guardian accusing Palestinian resistance fighters of 'sacrificing children'

The Guardian has published a wildly inaccurate and inflammatory advert from supporters of the Israeli state branding the Palestinian resistance as 'child killers'. Activists respond

Sean Ledwith looks at the origins of Hamas and its role as an expression of popular Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation

Images, video and tweets from the ongoing protests against Israel's Gaza onslaught

Swedish translation of 'Palestine: the only solution is now the one state solution' by John Rees

Farsi translation of 'The agony of Gaza' by Neil Faulkner

Charles B. Anthony: I for one will not let Israel hijack my family’s religion and culture in order to propagate the myth that coexistence between Muslims and Jews is not possible

Faduma Hassan: Warsi’s resignation is a political crisis for Cameron -  one of his most high profile female members has openly questioned his government's policy on Gaza

Spanish translation of 'Palestine: the only solution is now the one-state solution' by John Rees

Translation of 'Palestine: the only solution is now the one-state solution' by John Rees

Despite the enormous cost in Palestinian lives, the Israeli state is losing in every dimension of its struggle to crush Gaza argues John Rees

Membership of the Israeli Football Association (IFA) should be suspended until Israel respects the human rights of Palestinians and observes international law, thus enabling Palestinian footballers to play and compete nationally and internationally

Growing disquiet is emerging amongst Britain's political elite over Israel's actions. We can change our government's policy - but we need the largest ever UK demonstration for Gaza

John Rees speaks on making next weekend's London Protest for Gaza the largest protest for Palestine ever. Video by Shahrzad Shemirani‎

A ceasefire is not enough - we need to step up the boycott, end the siege and fight for a free Palestine argues Lindsey German in today’s Morning Star

The narrative of equals is a sham. Only in the realms of superb fantasy can a child killer be measured in the same breath as the child he killed writes Charles B. Anthony

Regardless of hypothetical murderous intentions on both sides, the facts are that only one side is bombing a condensed civilian population with F-16 fighter jets writes Barnaby Raine

The Fire Brigades Union deplores the horrific attacks on Gaza and calls for an immediate, negotiated and total ceasefire. The union sends our support, solidarity and sympathy to all those affected by the conflict, including the families of the victims.

In this lecture, Tariq Ali argues that Israel faces a new wave of resistance from Palestinians

Israeli MPs and European supporters of Israel claim that pro-Palestinian marches are rife with anti-Semitism. But is it true?

It is one of the most tragic cases in history that an oppressed nation like the Jews, have imposed oppression and barbarism on another nation – the Palestinians, writes Tony Cliff in this 1998 article

We ask now that the BBC produce a televised, public debate to discuss how to redress the deficiencies in its coverage to offer a better account of the sources of this conflict and therefore how it might be resolved.

John Rees argues that the key to ending Israel's war against the Palestinians lies in forcing their backers in Washington and London to stop funding, arming and supporting the apartheid state

Israel claims that it is merely exercising its right to self-defense and that Gaza is no longer occupied. Here’s what you need to know about these talking points and more

The government of Venezuela, led by President Nicolas Maduro, has decried Israelli forces’ incursion into Gaza and called for the UN to condemn Israel over its recent wave of aggression. President Nicolas Maduro described the assault, which has claimed over 350 lives, to as a stepping up of a policy of “extermination.”

As the Israeli military operation intensifies in Gaza, the NUJ parliamentary group has written to the UK government’s foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, demanding immediate action to secure the protection of journalists reporting in Gaza. Add your support.

John Rees on how the latest Israeli war on Gaza demonstrates where the solution to the conflict lies

The solution to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine is simple argues Charles B. Anthony

Protestors gathered outside the offices of the BBC in Newcastle on Tuesday night in response to their biased coverage of Israel's attack on Gaza reports Mark Tyers

Assemble 12 noon at the Israeli embassy for march to parliament

Mads Gilbert, a surgeon working in Shifa hospital in Gaza, wrote the following letter after the bloodiest day so far in Israel's onlsaught

To see the extent of David Cameron's hypocrisy, contrast his call for action on the plane shot down in Ukraine to his government's complicity in Israel's brutal assault on Gaza

The politicians and the media may look the other way as Israel commits its atrocities, but there is now a huge global movement against Israeli aggression says Chris Nineham

The BBC was blockaded by thousands of protestors tonight - part of a mass popular upsurge against the Israeli onslaught on the Palestinians and Britain's support for it argues Chris Nineham

Assemble 12 noon at Downing Street, London - march to Israeli Embassy

The brutality visited on Gaza flows from a simple fact; that Israel, the Arab dictators, and Western imperialism would all prefer that the Palestinians did not exist

The Palestinians are always put in the position of being to blame for someone else occupying their land, and for then having the temerity to fight back writes Lindsey German

An emergency demonstration against Israel's illegal war on Gaza saw the streets outside the embassy blocked by 10,000 angry protestors. A national demonstration has been called for 19 July

Chris Nineham of Stop the War speaking on a protest outside the Israeli embassy in London calls for a massive turnout on Saturday 19 July to protest against the illegal war on Gaza

Ali Abunimah presents powerful arguments in favour of a one-state solution to establish justice for Palestinians, finds Orlando Hill

Beyond Occupation is an important book that gives the reader rigorous and detailed arguments showing Israel’s colonial treatment of the Occupied Territories, argues Lindy Syson

Hassan Ghani reports on how across Britain growing numbers of people are acting in solidarity with Palestinians

Protesters have greeted every booking of Israeli dance company Batsheva’s European tour. Its final appearances, at Plymouth’s Theatre Royal on 23 and 24 November, were no exception

British support for the Zionist movement led to the foundation of Israel in 1948. In conjunction with US imperialism, the Israeli state is an enduring source of oppression in the Middle East

Sairah Tariq makes the case for joining the protest against the Israeli state-sponsored Batsheva dance company this Thursday, Friday and Saturday

At this year’s prestigious Edinburgh International Festival (EiF) Israeli-state sponsored Batsheva Dance Company, who work within the Brand Israel project of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), will be performing over three nights from Thursday 30th August to Saturday 1st September and will then embark on a UK wide tour.

Art and politics are not separate in this case as the MFA has stated Batsheva is ‘the best global ambassador of Israeli culture’. The dance company receives funding from the MFA which tries to draw attention to Israeli arts as to negate the focus from conflict and occupation of Palestine. As Arye Mekel of Israeli’s MFA has said ‘We send well-known novelists and writers overseas, theatre companies, exhibits…This way you show Israeli’s prettier face, so we are not thought of purely in the context of war’.

The Jewish Chronicle has reported that an Israel’s Minister of Sports and Culture, Limor Livnat, will be attending one of the three performances, this politicises the Batsheva performances despite the director of EiF’s repeated attempts to deny the link between the dance company and the Israeli Government. An open letter was published in the Herald yesterday signed by writers and artists including Liz Lochhead, Iain Banks, Tom Leonard, AL Kennedy and Raja Shehadeh condemning Jonathon Mills, director of EiF, refusal to cancel the performances.

Hana Awaad of El Funoun, one of Palestine’s dance troupes, encapsulates Israel’s cultural apartheid well when she states:

‘While Israeli artists and performers have freedom to tour, exhibits and performances by Palestinian artists are systematically banned, sabotaged and closed down by the Israeli occupation. Artists themselves are targets of violence, arbitrary arrests and deportations. Israeli’s three-tiered system of occupation, colonisation and apartheid ruthlessly suffocates the livelihoods of Palestinian communities, including the right to artistic and cultural expression’.

The boycott of Batsheva is a response to The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) which calls for a boycott of all cultural performers and exhibiters that are institutionally linked to the Israeli state. It is part of a broader Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign called in 2005 by over 200 Palestinian civil society organisations. These campaigns allow individuals, organisations and festival organisers across the world to take a stand against Zionism. Israel has illegally occupied Palestine since 1948, with the Palestinians living under brutal conditions. We should not welcome Batsheva Dance Company who receives its funding from a state that practices apartheid and suppresses Palestinian culture. Challenge their presence and join the protests on the following dates to take a stand against Brand Israel.

6pm Thursday 30 August

7pm Friday 31 August

7pm Saturday 1 September at Edinburgh Playhouse on Leith Walk

From the ISG site