Letter to Med Culture Programme
Subject:
Participation in Med Culture first regional conference
We the Palestinian Performing Arts Network
(PAN) regretfully inform you that we will not be participating in the Med
Culture regional conference on the theme of “Creativity, Innovation,
Competitiveness & Development”, in Casablanca, Morocco from 27-29 April,
2015 as well as the Med Culture group of young cultural practitioners from
southern Mediterranean countries “Houna aShabab”. Our decision is in response to incorporating
Israel in the abovementioned activities; which is a clear violation of the
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Campaign. In 2005, a clear majority of Palestinian
civil society called upon their counterparts and people of conscience all over
the world to launch broad boycotts, implement divestment initiatives, and to
demand sanctions against Israel, until Palestinian rights are recognized in
full compliance with international law.
The twelve Palestinian Performing Arts organizations in the
network, aim towards creating a free just Palestinian society that cultivates knowledge and
culture, respects diversity, equality, justice, human rights and free
expression; which Israel inhibits on a daily basis through its continued
occupation of Palestine and violations of the basic human rights of the
Palestinian people.
We hereby ask the program organizers and supporters to
cancel Israel's participation in the current and future Med Culture activities
and request an end to the deliberate incorporation of Israel into collective pan-Arab
activities.
Palestinian
Performing Arts Network
Member organizations within the network who approve the
statement:
Al Harah Theatre
El-Funoun Palestinian Dance Troupe
Edward Said National Conservatory of Music
The Popular Art Centre
The Freedom Theatre
Ashtar Theatre
The Palestinian Circus School
Al-Kamandjati Association
Yes Theatre
A.M. Qattan Foundation
The Theatre Day Productions
Magnificat Institute
