UK art institute accused of firing 14 staff for pro-Palestine activism
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Former employees have urged the organization to sever ties with Mishcon de Reya law firm and fully support the BDS movement against "Israel".
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People walk down Regent Street as they take part in a 'March For Palestine' in London on October 14, 2023. (AFP)
The Cultural Workers Against Genocide (CWAG) claimed on Friday that fourteen ICA staff members were informed of their impending redundancies in March.
The staff members from London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) linked their termination to their pro-Palestine activism, namely their involvement in posting a letter on the ICA’s website urging the institution to boycott “Israel” amid its genocide in Gaza, the Cultural Workers Against Genocide (CWAG) alleged on Friday.
The letter demanded the ICA sever ties with Israeli-affiliated law firm Mishcon de Reya, fully commit to the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against “Israel”, and divest from companies that fund or profit from the occupation’s genocide in Gaza. However, following a review by Arts Council England (ACE), it was concluded that there was a lack of basis to withdraw funding.
“We have not been immune to the immense pressures that have affected many other arts charities and organisations in recent times. The pandemic, inflation and changing patterns in donations and grants have resulted in us running an operating deficit for the last few years," ICA director Bengi Ünsal said to The Art Newspaper, adding that the only option for the institution's survival was to restructure it through redundancies.
Only three positions were saved despite the workers’ union proposal to prevent redundancies by reducing pay for senior-level employees, according to the CWAG statement.
"The ICA has been financially struggling for years," an anonymous former ICA employee said, opposing the institute's claim that financial issues were the primary reason for terminations. "I believe they are using it as a smokescreen.”
However, back in October, the organization enabled pro-Palestinian demonstrators to use the venue to protest against the Palestinian genocide and advocate for a ceasefire. The ICA's pro-Palestinian solidarity is further showcased through their annual Palestinian film festival, featuring Palestinian artists in their exhibits.
The CWAG stated that despite these actions, the ICA has not publicly announced its position on the BDS movement.
Museum of Modern Art protesters accuse board of funding genocide
UK's Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) is not the first artistic organization to receive backlash on its funding and association with the occupation.
Back in February, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters staged a demonstration at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, briefly shutting down parts of the world-famous institute's operations.
The activists organized the protest against the museum's directors, accusing them of supporting the Israeli occupation entity as it carries out war crimes in Gaza.
A large flag reading "Free Palestine" was hung at the entrance hall as demonstrators demanded some of the MoMA's board members resign for funding "Zionist occupation and genocide" and “settler colonialism”.
Carrying banners with "Cultural workers stand with Gaza" and “Ceasefire Now” written on them, they called for an end to "artistic collaboration" with the entity and the lifting of the occupation's siege off the Strip.
