Glasgow Film Theatre praised by pro-Israel lobby group over BDS vote
The charity's trustees declined to back the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), despite calls from employees and patrons to do so.
Caroline Turner, director of UK Lawyers for Israel said: 'We are pleased that the Trustees of GFT have decided to reject these endorsements. These campaigns were part of a central Palestinian boycotting organisation whose aim is the destruction of the Jewish State.
'The film theatre had upset many of its regular Jewish film goers by its boycott of Coca Cola products earlier this year, and the anti-Israel statements made by some of its staff.'
The BDS movement calls for a boycott of all Israeli goods.
The BDS movement was set up by 170 Palestinian civil groups in 2005 as a form of non-violent "pressure" on Israel and has gained worldwide support, often being compared to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.
The collective has called on Israel to 'end its colonisation and occupation' of Arab lands, recognise the 'fundamental rights' of Arab-Palestien citizens of Israel, and 'respect and protect' the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Adherents of the movement advocate for a full economic and cultural boycott of Israeli goods and companies, and protest against international companies with close ties to the Israeli state.
Three members of the GFT's trustee board resigned in protest over the cinema's decision. A joint statement reads:
'We cannot in good conscience continue to serve on the board of the GFT. In addition to our concerns related to governance and decision-making processes, we are also deeply concerned about the attitude the GFT has shown toward our unionised workers.'
In February, Unite Hospitality union members, which make up 85% of front-of-house and cleaning staff at the cinema, announced they would refuse to serve Coca-Cola products due to the company's ties to Israel. This led to the removal of the brand from the GFT bar.
Coca Cola was among the products to be banned at the GFT (Image: PA).The theatre was hit with a legal threat after UK Lawyers for Israel wrote a letter to charity regulator OSCR alleging the boycott breached the cinema's 'charitable objects'. The complaint was ultimately dismissed.
In a statement published on Thursday evening, the charity said:
'As an independent charity, trustees are legally required to act in the best interests of the charity, and in line with its charitable objects which are, for Glasgow Film, principally to educate the public about film.
'To meet this obligation, we believe that all decisions, including those relating to ethical purchasing and programming, should be taken independently, and on a case-by-case basis, informed by robust internal policies and processes.'
The cinema's board also said that a full review of their 'ethical policies and practices' would be carried out, including the sale of products in their bar, and that the work of Palestinian artists would continue to be platformed.
UKLFI's Turner added: 'It is good news that the GFT is now considering ethical and inclusive programming and purchasing. We hope that their inclusive programming will also include Israeli films.'
The GFT board voted against endorsing the BDS movement. (Image: Newsquest) However, angry patrons hit out as news of the decision spread online Thursday night.
Ruth Gilbert, national campaigns chair for Living Rent, posted to X:
'This is pathetic and embarrassing. Against the will of your unionised staff, your customers, and members of your board, you can't even commit to the bare minimum of solidarity with the Palestinian people? Many will vote with their feet if you don't reconsider.'
Similarly, Emma Diamond remarked: 'So disappointed to read this, as a long term member & supporter I really hoped for better.
'It's not enough to pledge to platform Palestinian voices, what voices will there be left to 'platform' if this genocide continues.'
Andy Ashe added: 'Apart from the obvious ethical consequences, I think you have vastly underestimated your customers' commitment to Palestine.'
In response to the decision, campaign group Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said:
'We ask audiences, film-workers and partners, to email the Chief Executive of GFT Allison Gardner to make your voice heard and demand a reversal to this decision which undermines GFT's very reason for existence as an independent cinema.
"GFT directly benefits in numerous ways from the optics of screening radical anti-colonial films. We refuse to let them disguise their lack of ethics with a progressive veneer. GFT is publicly funded and we, the public, are here to assert that film is political. We will not back down.'
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