A joint statement outlining a Scottish Cultural Workers Boycott of Israel has been launched, with signatories including some of Scotland’s leading writers, artists, musicians and poets.

The statement shows solidarity with the people of Palestine amidst an unfolding humanitarian crisis created by Israel’s attack on Gaza. Signatories of the statement include Booker prize-winning author James Kelman, the Finnish-English artist Hanna Tuuliki, the SAY Award winner Kathryn Joseph, the Scottish folk icon Aly Bain, the Orwell prize-winning author and musician Darren McGarvey and many others. The boycott invites support from Scottish cultural workers or people working in Scotland and is open to all, from technicians to hospitality workers, to crew and front of house as well as performers and artists. 

The author Jim Kelman said, ‘What else can I do but stand with the Palestinian people. The monstrosities committed by the Israeli State not so much denies their right to live in their own place, it denies their humanity. The Israeli State is saying to the world the Palestinian people have no value, they are worthless, we can do as we wish. 

‘This is what happens during a genocide. Imperialist authority demonstrates to indigenous peoples that they are inferior forms of humanity. The British State fails to act to put an end to the slaughter and is therefore guilty of aiding and abetting in barbarism. The people of Britain must say no to this. We must express our solidarity with the people of Palestine. Their lifeblood is in this struggle.’

In January of this year, The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel’s acts against the people of Palestine could amount to genocide, and ordered Israel to avoid incitement to genocide, ensure aid and services reach Palestinians under siege in Gaza, and preserve evidence of crimes committed in Gaza. According to Amnesty International, ‘Israel has failed to take even the bare minimum steps to comply’ with the ruling. 

At time of writing, the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 30,000 people, according to figures from the Hamas-run Health Ministry. The UK foreign secretary, David Cameron, today accused Israel of blocking a key aid crossing into Palestine. 

The full statement 

In response to the call from Palestinian civil society for a cultural boycott of Israel, we pledge to reject any invitation to perform or exhibit in Israel, nor to accept any funding from any institution linked to the government of Israel, or to participate in events supported by the military and arms companies enabling war in Palestine.

As cultural workers we refuse to allow our art to be exploited by an apartheid state that disregards international law and universal principles of human rights.

We call for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid and stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza and wider Palestine. We call for the release of all hostages and political prisoners.

Jim Kelman - Writer
Hanna Tuuluki - Artist 
Jim Sutherland - Producer/Composer
Dougie Strang - Writer
Kathryn Joseph - Musician
Adam Ramsay - Journalist
Christopher Brookmyre - Writer
Jim Monaghan - Poet
Layla-roxanne hill - Author
Christopher Silver - Writer
Kevin Williamson - Writer
Peter Arnott - Playwright
Jamie Wardrop - Artist
Tam Dean Burn - Artist
Tony Reekie - Theatre Director
Gerry Loose - Poet
Iona Fyffe - Musician
George Finlay Ramsay - Artist
Halina Rifai - Podcast Producer
Gerda Stevenson - Actor, Writer
Kris Drever - Musician
Aidan O’Rourke - Musician
Eliza Carthy - Musician
Morag McKinnon - Film Director
Ross Ainslie - Musician
Su-a Lee  - Musician
Ken McCluskey - Musician
Kate Donnelly - Actor, Director
Darren McGarvey - Musician, Author
Sophie Ramsay - Singer
Dr Alex Boyd - Photographer
Rory Scothorne - Writer
Aly Bain - Musician
Joyce McMillan - Journalist
Dave Maric - Composer
Mike Small - Writer
Angus Farquhar - Creative Director
Karen Matheson - Singer
Iona Lee - Poet-Artist
Linda Duncan McLaughlin - Writer, Actor
Gordon Mackinnon - Artist/Musician
Neil Cooper - Writer
Paul Sng - Filmmaker
Arusa Qureshi - Writer, Music programmer
David McKay - Actor
Calum Colvin - Artist
Dave Hook - Musician
Irvine Welsh - Writer
Robert Alan Jamieson - Poet
Stanley Odd - Band
George Gunn - Poet
Stephen Greenhorn - Dramatist
Skye Reynolds - Dancer
Samir Mehanovic - Film Maker
Cora Bissett - Actor/Director
Keith McIvor - DJ/Producer
Jonnie Wilkes - DJ/Producer
Jill O’Sullivan - Musician
Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir- Director, Playwright
Young Fathers - Musicians