Israel – Come and have a good time Sep 4th 2008 The Economist Israelis want foreigners to see their country in a new light…Israel, long frustrated by its image as a country tarnished by danger and strife, wants to rebrand itself—as hip, cool, cultured, fun and creative. The initiative comes from Israeli diplomats and Jewish…
Continue Reading Visit Israel – we’re ‘cool, hip and cultured’ savages
On 27 May (2009), Scottish composer James MacMillan CBE denounced to the Scotsman ‘the attempt to prevent Tel Aviv University graduate Tali Shalom Ezer…from travelling to Edinburgh for a screening of her film…at this year’s International Film Festival.’ This despite no-one attempting any such thing, and film director Ken Loach urging all to make the Israeli…
Continue Reading James MacMillan CBE is a shameless hypocrite and serial liar
Armed Israeli police close theatre on first night of Palestinian festival Shortly before the opening event was due to begin, a squad of around a dozen Israeli border police walked into the Palestinian National Theatre, in East Jerusalem, and ordered it to be closed. Police brought a letter from the Israeli minister of internal security which…
Continue Reading Israel closes Palestinian festival as part of ‘ban on political activity’
Boycott movement can oppose Israeli violence The 2009 Edinburgh International Film Festival organisers announced on Friday they were returning money donated by the Israeli Embassy. The return of the money was accompanied by an admission that it had been “a mistake to accept the £300 from the Israeli Embassy” and followed a torrent of angry letters expressing…
Continue Reading Edinburgh International Film Festival joins boycott of Israeli State institutions
—–Original Message—– From: Ginnie Atkinson Sent: 14 May 2009 10:16 To: secretary@scottishpsc.org.uk Subject: We regret that you have found cause to express concern about a source of cultural funding. We accept funding from a variety of international cultural institutions to enable filmmakers to travel with their work. It is important that filmmakers come with their…
Scottish PSC Letter: To: Ginnie Atkinson Managing Director Edinburgh International Film Festival While people in Gaza are still living in the rubble of their homes, and Gaza victims of Israel’s white phosphorous attacks are still in critical care, the Edinburgh International Film Festival has again accepted funding from the Israeli Embassy. This will shock many.…
Continue Reading SPSC’s and others’ letters to the Edinburgh International Film Festival