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 for adding their signatures to a letter calling for the BBC to cancel a concert by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
According to a statement from LPO managers, quoted in the Jewish Chronicle (“UK musicians suspended over Israel Proms row,” 13-9-11) the action was taken because the musicians included their affiliation to the orchestra with their signatures (a convention which is common practice within the academic world, for example).
One does not have to share the musicians” support for the campaign for boycotting Israeli institutions to feel a grave concern about the bigger issue at stake for artists and others.
There is a clear link being forcibly created here between personal conscience and employment, which we must all resist. A healthy civil society is founded on the ability of all to express non-violent and non- prejudiced opinions, freely and openly, without fear of financial or professional retribution.
The LPO management state that for them, “music and politics don’t mix” – yet their decision to jeopardise the livelihoods of four talented musicians for expressing their sincerely held views is itself political.
Why should it be so dangerous for artists to speak out on the issue of Israel/Palestine? We are dismayed at the precedent set by this harsh punishment, and we strongly urge the LPO to reconsider its decision.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Barrett, composer
Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC, solicitor
Howard Brenton, playwright
Caryl Churchill, playwright
Siobhan Davies CBE, choreographer
John Harte co-director, Choir of London
Philip Hensher, novelist
A.L. Kennedy, author
Ken Loach, film director
Miriam Margolyes actor
Simon McBurney OBE actor, writer, director
Mike Leigh, playwright and film director
Steve Martland, composer
Annette Moreau Founder Arts Council Contemporary Music Network
Cornelia Parker OBE artist
Prof. Jacqueline Rose, Queen Mary University, London
Michael Rosen, writer
Alexei Sayle, writer and comedian
Kamila Shamsie, writer
Mark Wallinger, artist
Dame Harriet Walter DBE, actress
Benjamin Zephaniah, author and performer
Kirsty Alexander artist and teacher
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, writer and broadcaster
Michael Attenborough, theatre director
Prof. Mona Baker, University of Manchester
Derek Ball, composer
Chris Bluemel, pianist
Richard Black, pianist
Ian Bournartist/filmmaker
Prof. HaimBresheeth, University of East London
Victoria Brittain, author and journalist
Michael Carlin, production designer
Jonathan Chadwick theatre maker
Prof. Michael Chanan, University of Roehampton
Sacha Craddock, curator
Andy Cowton, composer
Raymond Deane, composer
Ivor Dembina, comedian
Dr KayDickinson, Goldsmiths College, University of London
Dr HughDunkerley, writer University of Chichester
Tony Dowmunt filmmaker, Goldsmiths College, University of London
Patrick Duval, cinematographer
Gareth Evans, writer and curator
Moris Farhi, MBE writer
Dr Naomi Foyle, poet and writer
Jane Frere artist, theatre designer
Carol-AnneGrainger, soprano
Tony Graham, theatre director
Lee Hall playwright.
Michelle Hanson, columnist
Laura Hastings-Smith, film producer
Dr Wallace Heim, writer
John Hegley, poet
Matthew Herbert, composer
Prof. Susan Himmelweit
Mary Hoffman, writer
Dr Fergus Johnston, composer
Ann Jungmana, author
Reem Kelani, musician
Judith Kazantzis, poet and writer
Conor Kelly, artist
Anthea Kennedy, filmmaker
Aleksander Kolkowski, musician
Dr AdamKossoff, artist/filmmaker
Malcolm Le Grice artist, Emeritus Professor, University of the Arts, London
Prof. Yosefa Loshitzky
Jamie McCarthy, musician and lecturer
Dr CaroleMcKenzie FRSA
Ewan McLennan, folk musician
Jeff McMillan, artist
Helen Legg, curator
China Mcville, novelist
Lowkey,musician
Roger Mitchell, film and theatre director
Jenny Morgan, film director
Carol Morley, film director
Alan Morrison, writer
Paul Morrison, film director
Ian Pace, concert pianist
Sam Paechter, composer
Miranda Pennell, filmmaker
Jeremy Peyton Jones, composer
Henry Porter, novelist and commentator
James Purefoy, actor
Laure Prouvost, artist
William Raban, filmmaker, reader at University of the Arts London
A.L.Rees, writer
Lynne Reid Banks, writer
Frances Rifkin, theatre director, Utopia Arts
Leon Rosselson, singer songwriter
Martin Rowson cartoonist
Dr Khadiga Safwatwriter
Sukhdev Sandhuwriter and historian
Dominic Saunders, pianist
Guy Sherwin, artist
Kevin Smith, art activist, PLATFORM
Prof. John Smith, filmmaker University of East London
Anne Solomon, violinist
Ahdaf Soueif, writer
Helen Statman, performer
Michael Stevens, co-director, Choir of London
Susannah Stone picture researcher,
Trevor Stuart, performer
Ingrid Swenson, director PEER
Alia Syed, artist
Jennet Thomas, artist, senior lecturer, University of the Arts
Miranda Tufnell, dance artist
Prof. David Turner
Francesca Viceconti,artist
Michelene Wandor, writer
David Ward, composer
Samuel West, actor and director
Ian Wiblin, photographer
Andrew Wilson, curator
Eliza Wyatt, playwright
RobinYassin-Kassab novelist
