As the debate over the Tricycle Theatre's decision to boycott official Israeli funding for the UK Jewish Film Festival reaches the national media, local people have expressed their support for the Tricycle's decision.
The following letter was published in the Guardian today:
Meanwhile an on-line poll on the Kilburn Times website LINKcurrently has 70% of respondents supporting the Tricycle's position, 29% against and 1% undecided.The London borough of Brent is one of the most diverse and tolerant parts of the UK, with a rich cultural heritage compromising many ethnicities and religions, including the Jewish faith. As local residents, we can say that the Tricycle Theatre, whose cinematic and theatrical repertoire is broad and inclusive, reflects this diversity, demonstrated by 8 years of hosting the UK Jewish Film Festival, as well as works on Palestine by comedian Mark Thomas, and works by MUJU, the Muslim-Jewish theatre company.We support the Tricycle Theatre’s decision to refuse funding from the Israeli Embassy, the UK representative of a state currently involved in war crimes and potential genocide in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. As the theatre has already offered to help find an alternative sponsor, we hope this is not the end of the festival as your article suggests. The theatre’s position cannot be construed as anti-Semitic, anti-Jewish or political but is instead a cultural boycott of a belligerent sponsor.Martin Francis, Brent and Harrow Palestine Solidarity CampaignSheila Robin, Jews for Justice for PalestiniansAisha Maniar, London Guantánamo Campaign