• Artists protest ‘Philharmonic Four’ suspension: full letter

    From PACBI: Dozens of artists and academics have joined together to protest against the suspension of four members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra for supporting the boycott of Israeli cultural institutions. Here is their letter in full. Dear Sir, We are shocked to hear of the suspension of four members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra […]

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  • Guardian: But Music and Politics Have Always Mixed…

    From The Guardian: But music and politics have always mixed The LPO’s chief executive claims that music and politics do not mix. Tom Service begs to differ Beethoven’s “political” statement…? Fidelio (with Karita Mattila as Leonore) in the Royal Opera House’s 2007 production. Photograph: Tristram Kenton …and with all the sound and fury, as Charlotte Higgins […]

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  • “Beethovians for Boycotting Israel” disrupt Israeli Philharmonic at BBC Proms

    A London protest disrupted a BBC Proms performance on September 2, 2011, leading to BBC taking the concert off the air. The performance featured the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the official state Israeli orchestra. The following press release was issued by the protesters: A new vocal ensemble, Beethovians for Boycotting Israel (BBI), gave its debut performance […]

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  • Open Letter of Musicians in Opposition to the IPO at Proms

    The following letter was published in the Independent, submitted by musicians decrying the BBC’s decision to invite the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra to participate in BBC Proms. The concert was later disrupted: As musicians we are dismayed that the BBC has invited the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra to play at the Proms on 1 September. The IPO […]

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  • Statement of UK trade union delegation to Palestine, 17-22 April 2011

    http://palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=24&Content_ID=1974 The delegation of Senior UK Trade Unionists listed below visited Palestine between17-22 April 2011. The delegation met with/witnessed: The dramatic extent of illegal settlement building in East Jerusalem and the victims of forced evictions; Members of the Palestinian Assembly who are currently under house arrest and have taken refuge at the Red Cross Centre […]

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  • UK’s largest academic trade union denounces threats to right to education, distributes PACBI call

    The University and College Union, UCU, is the largest trade union and professional association for academics, lecturers, trainers, researchers and academic-related staff working in further and higher education throughout the UK, passed the following resolution at its Congress on May 29, 2011, drawing attention to threats to the right to education and calling for the […]

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  • Stop the JNF: British PM David Cameron drops ‘patron’ status at JNF

    The Stop the JNF Campaign reported on May 27: Prime Minister David Cameron has quietly terminated his status as an Honorary Patron of the controversial Jewish National Fund (JNF).  His office confirmed he had “stepped down”.  For many years leaders of all three main political parties became Honorary Patrons of the JNF by convention.  According […]

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  • ULU: Why We Voted for Boycott

    ULU: Why We Voted for Boycott, published by James Haywood at Just Another Activist The week just gone has been an excellent one for student activism for Palestine in the UK. The NUS executive council finally adopted a policy that clearly defended Palestinian human rights, and pledged to send NUS officers on future flotillas sailing […]

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  • Europe’s largest student union endorses BDS

    The University of London Union (ULU)  has voted 10-1 to institute and campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) in support of Palestine. The motion called for “thorough research into ULU investments and contracts” with companies guilty of “violating Palestinian human rights” as set out by the Palestinian Boycott National Committee (BNC). Ashok Kumar, Senate member for […]

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  • British Writers in Support of Palestine: Jerusalem Book Fair & Prize Eminently Boycottable

    BWISP – Jerusalem Book Fair & Prize: Both Eminently Boycottable It was announced yesterday that British novelist Ian McEwan has been awarded the Jerusalem Prize, awarded biennally at the Jerusalem Book Fair, to a writer whose work explores the theme of the “freedom of the individual in society”. The Book Fair is notable for its Fellowship scheme, in […]

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