Tricycle Theatre overturns Jewish Film Festival boycott
London’s Tricycle Theatre has withdrawn its controversial boycott of the Jewish Film Festival and invited the event to unconditionally return in 2015.
The Kilburn facility – which has held screenings for the annual festival for the past eight years – provoked widespread anger after pulling the plug on its involvement in this year’s event when organisers refused to hand back £1,400 of support from the Israeli embassy.
A joint statement by the Tricycle Theatre and UK Jewish Film Festival states: “Some weeks ago The UKJFF fell out, very publicly, with The Tricycle over a condition imposed by the Tricycle regarding funding. This provoked considerable public upset. Both organisations have come together to end that.
“Following lengthy discussions between The Tricycle and UKJFF, the Tricycle has now withdrawn its objection and invited back the UK Jewish Film Festival on the same terms as in previous years with no restrictions on funding from the Embassy of Israel in London.
MORE: Israeli theatre adds new dates after Edinburgh boycott – click here
“The UKJFF and The Tricycle have agreed to work together to rebuild their relationship and although the Festival are not able to return in 2014, we hope to begin the process of rebuilding trust and confidence with a view to holding events in the future.
“We both profoundly hope that those who take differing views on the events of the last few weeks will follow our lead and come together to acknowledge that dialogue, reconciliation and engagement will resolve points of difference and ensure that cultural diversity thrives in all communities.”
The news will come as huge relief to the Jewish community, some of whom protested outside the theatre last week.
Donors, including Sir Trevor Chinn, revealed to the Jewish News this week they were withdrawing their funding. He said: “We are as a community under pressure from the boycott movement. We can’t accept boycotts and whenever one comes along we have to fight it.”
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
