Cultural Boycott of Israel

What is cultural boycott?

Cultural boycott means refusing to participate in Israeli state-sponsored cultural events, institutions or projects until Israel complies with international law and Palestinian rights. It’s not about boycotting Israeli artists, writers or filmmakers as individuals. It's about refusing to let culture be weaponised as propaganda to normalise occupation and apartheid.

Why culture matters

Israel overtly uses culture as a form of propaganda to justify its apartheid policies and occupation of Palestinian territories. This is often called ‘artwashing’ or ‘brandwashing’ — using arts, music, film and sport to present a progressive, liberal image while obscuring the reality of military occupation, home demolitions, siege and apartheid.

Israeli cultural institutions, often funded or supported by the state, tour internationally to improve Israel’s image and distract from its violations of international law. Film festivals, concerts, exhibitions and academic exchanges become tools of propaganda.

Meanwhile, Palestinian artists face severe restrictions. They’re denied freedom of movement, their work is censored, their venues are destroyed and their voices are silenced.

Cultural boycott refuses to play along with this charade.

The call from Palestine

In 2004, Palestinian artists and cultural workers launched PACBI — the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel. They called on international artists, writers, filmmakers and cultural institutions to join the cultural boycott until Israel:

• ends its occupation and colonisation of Palestinian land,
• recognises the fundamental rights of Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality,
• respects, protects and promotes the rights of Palestinian refugees to return.

This isn’t a call from outside. It’s Palestinian cultural workers asking their international counterparts to stand in solidarity by refusing to perform or exhibit in Israel while apartheid continues.

The Artists for Palestine UK pledge

In the UK, the response is led by Artists for Palestine UK, whose members pledge:

“...to accept neither professional invitations to Israel, nor funding, from any institutions linked to its government until it complies with international law and universal principles of human rights.”

Thousands of artists worldwide have joined the boycott, including:

• Musicians
  Roger Waters (Pink Floyd), Brian Eno (Amos Trust’s patron), Lauryn Hill and Chuck D from Public Enemy.
• Writers
  Arundhati Roy, Iain Banks, John Berger and Naomi Klein.
• Filmmakers
  Ken Loach, Mike Leigh and Mira Nair.
• Academics and activists
  Judith Butler and Angela Davis.

These artists recognise that performing in Israel — especially at state-sponsored venues — provides cover for apartheid. They refuse to be part of Israel’s propaganda machine.

What cultural boycott looks like

• Artists decline invitations to perform at Israeli state-sponsored venues or festivals funded by the Israeli government.
• Cultural institutions refuse partnerships with Israeli state bodies or organisations complicit in occupation.
• Festivals and venues don’t accept Israeli state funding or sponsorship.
• Film festivals reject Israeli government funding and don’t participate in initiatives designed to improve Israel’s image.
• Academic institutions cut ties with Israeli universities complicit in occupation and development of military technology.

This is not censorship

Cultural boycott doesn’t target Israeli artists as individuals or suppress their work. Israeli artists who oppose occupation are welcome to perform and exhibit internationally. Many support the boycott themselves.

The boycott targets state institutions and events designed to whitewash apartheid. It refuses to let culture be used as propaganda while Palestinians are denied basic rights.

It’s the same principle as the cultural boycott of apartheid South Africa — refusing to participate in state-sponsored events that normalise injustice.

Amos Trust and cultural boycott

Amos Trust was founded by singer-songwriter Garth Hewitt and works closely with musicians, playwrights, artists, filmmakers and writers. We believe culture has immense power — to challenge injustice, to build solidarity, to tell truths that can’t be silenced.

That’s why we support the cultural boycott. Not because we oppose culture, but because we refuse to let it be weaponised against justice.

We also work to amplify Palestinian culture — hosting Palestinian musicians, showcasing Palestinian art, celebrating Palestinian voices. Cultural boycott isn’t about silencing; it’s about refusing complicity while elevating what’s been suppressed.

What you can do

If you’re an artist, writer or cultural worker:

• sign the Artists for Palestine UK pledge,
• decline invitations to Israeli state-sponsored events,
• speak publicly about why you support the boycott,
• use your platform to amplify Palestinian voices.

If you work for a cultural institution:

• refuse Israeli state funding or sponsorship,
• don’t partner with institutions complicit in occupation,
• host Palestinian artists and cultural events,
• educate your audiences about why cultural boycott matters.

Everyone can:

• support artists who honour the boycott,
• challenge venues or festivals that accept Israeli state funding,
• share information about cultural boycott on social media,
• attend and promote Palestinian cultural events.

Learn more about PACBI →
Sign the Artists for Palestine UK pledge →
Explore our Palestine cultural work →
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Culture as resistance

When artists refuse to perform in Israel while apartheid continues, they’re saying: we won’t let our work be used to cover up injustice. When cultural institutions reject Israeli state funding, they're saying: we stand with Palestinian artists who can’t freely create, travel or speak.

Cultural boycott is an act of solidarity. And it works.