SPSC Borders Branch were able to reach a satisfactory settlement with the Eastgate theatre following their decision to cancel the planned 'Land and Resistance' event in September.
The event was due to host 4 Palestinian speakers including;
- Dr Kholoud Aljarma discussing the JNF
- Poet and Activist, Salsabil El Awaisi
- Mohammad Zwahra, Photographer
- Mahmoud Zwahra, talking about popular resistance in the West Bank
Following the cancellation which happened just three days before the event in response to a single undisclosed complaint, the Branch decided to go ahead with a condensed programme on Peebles High Street. The support from the local community and those in the arts across Scotland was invaluable to both our members and those who were scheduled to speak.
The venue’s statement, released on Monday offers a full apology to the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign and can be read in full below.
Statement from the Eastgate Theatre Board
Last week, the Eastgate Theatre Board took the difficult decision to cancel the Land & Resistance event. We are sorry that we took the decision to cancel the event. We made this decision in reaction to information that we had available to us at the time, but which we now accept was wrong.
We understand the impact this has had on certain communities and groups, and we apologise for the distress and inconvenience caused to the artists, organisers, ticket holders, those members of the public who may have attended the event, and the Eastgate staff team. We also extend this apology to the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (“SPSC”) and its members, and acknowledge that their solidarity with Palestinians is not in conflict with our values of inclusion, respect and equality.
We are committed to supporting diverse voices in our community, and we acknowledge that there are valuable lessons to be learned from the way this situation was handled. The Eastgate Board is committed to using this experience to inform a review of our policies and procedures, ensuring that such a situation does not occur again. In order to assist with this, several Eastgate Board members have this week met with local members of SPSC Borders Branch.
Once again, we offer our apologies and wish to emphasise our commitment to growth, transparency, and meaningful dialogue moving forward.
The Eastgate Theatre Board
Read article in The National.
