Finchley and Golders Green MP, Mike Freer, has criticised the Tricycle Theatre’s decision not to host this year’s UK Jewish Film Festival. The Theatre’s Artistic Director, Indhu Rubasingham, recent announced they would not allow the Festival to take place in November as it receives part sponsorship from the Israeli Embassy.
Mike Freer has written to the Theatre, Culture Secretary Sajid Javid and the Arts Council to protest at the decision. The three letters are copied below:
Ms Indhu Rubasingham
Artistic Director
Tricycle Theatre
269 Kilburn High Road
London
NW6 7JR
6 August 2014
Ref: MF/AP
Dear Ms Rubasingham,
I am writing with regards to the Tricycle Theatre’s refusal to host the UK Jewish Film Festival (UKJFF), scheduled to take place in November.
You cite the Festival’s ties with the Israeli Embassy as the reason behind your decision, stating: "The festival receives funding from the Israeli embassy and, given the current conflict in Israel and Gaza, we feel it is inappropriate to accept financial support from any government agency involved”. However, what this fails to understand is that the event is an entirely apolitical showcase of Jewish culture. Rather, it is the Tricycle Theatre who have made an overtly political statement, much to the detriment of the Jewish Community across London and the UK as a whole.
I would also like to point out that during the current conflict in Israel and Gaza, there has been an increasingly fine line between anti-Semitism and anti-Israeli sentiments. By boycotting the UKJFF, the Theatre has confused the military operations of the Israeli Government with film and theatre produced by Jewish artists from Israel and the UK. This is completely unacceptable and the Theatre’s decision has been widely viewed as anti-Semitic by my constituents.
I do not consider that boycotting the UKJFF is the appropriate way to state your objection to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. I am sure you will understand the disappointment of my constituents who were looking forward to another enjoyable Festival.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Freer MP
Sajid Javid MP
Department for Culture, Media & Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5DH
6 August 2014
Ref: MF/AP
Dear Sajid,
I am writing to bring to your attention the decision by the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn, London, to boycott the UK Jewish Film Festival (UKJFF), scheduled to take place in November.
The Theatre states that the Festival’s sponsorship by the Israeli Embassy means it is unwilling to host the festival. Indhu Rubasingham, the Tricycle Threatre’s Artistic Director said: "The festival receives funding from the Israeli embassy and, given the current conflict in Israel and Gaza, we feel it is inappropriate to accept financial support from any government agency involved”. Whilst of course there have been varying opinions on the recent conflict and reasoned debate is to be welcomed, I am very concerned that a Jewish, not an Israeli film festival has been boycotted. It is completely unacceptable that the Theatre will not host an apolitical film festival, owing to the Israeli Government’s military operations in Gaza. Many of my constituents have expressed anger at the decision and feel they are being discriminated against as British Jews, irrespective of their position on the Conflict.
In recent weeks there has been an increasingly blurred line between anti-Israeli sentiment and anti-Semitism. The decision not to host the UKJFF by the Tricycle Theatre is emblematic of this confusion which can only have a detrimental impact on community cohesion. I would welcome your comments on this matter and look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Freer MP
Mr Alan Davey
Chief Executive
Arts Council England
21 Bloomsbury Street
London
WC1B 3HF
6 August 2014
Ref: MF/AP
Dear Mr Davey,
I am writing with regards to the decision taken by the Tricycle Theatre to boycott the UK Jewish Film Festival (UKJFF), scheduled to take place in November.
The Theatre states that the Festival’s sponsorship by the Israeli Embassy means it is unwilling to host the festival. Indhu Rubasingham, the Tricycle Threatre’s Artistic Director said: "The festival receives funding from the Israeli Embassy and, given the current conflict in Israel and Gaza, we feel it is inappropriate to accept financial support from any government agency involved”. I am sure you will agree that this is an overtly political statement which has only served to ensure that an entirely apolitical celebration of Jewish Culture cannot take place. This is tantamount to racial discrimination as it is mainly British Jews who regardless of their views on the current Conflict, are now unable to attend the Festival.
Ms Rubasingham suggested that should UKJFF be willing to break their ties with the Israeli Embassy, the Festival could take place as planned. Ms Rubasingham offered to use some of the funds the Theatre has to cover any shortfall that would arise. This is reported to be £1,400. For this financial year, the Arts Council granted the Tricycle Theatre £761,289. Can you confirm if you consider it appropriate for an organisation which is largely funded by taxpayer’s money to be behaving in such a way? I would be grateful if you could also inform me if there are any stipulations which state that any funding awards from the Arts Council cannot be used for entirely political purposes.
I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Freer MP