In the News

Frameline Film Festival Pinkwashing Israeli Apartheid

May 31, 2011
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For the second year in a row, and after a short break, the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, the largest queer cultural event in the world, shamefully continues taking funding from the Israeli Consulate, violating the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) guidelines[1].

For the second year in a row, and after a short break, the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, the largest queer cultural event in the world, shamefully continues taking funding from the Israeli Consulate, violating the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) guidelines[1]. Frameline, the presenter of the festival, has ignored the calls issued by Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism (QUIT) in 2007, which has been joined by many other queer groups and well-known filmmakers.

By continuing to accept money from the Israeli consulate, Frameline is participating in the re-brand Israel campaign, and is helping it pinkwash its negative image, its grave violations of international law, human rights, and crimes against the Palestinian people. By accepting the Consulate’s money, Frameline is actively helping to create a false positive image of Israel as a queer-friendly “democracy,” turning people’s attention from occupation and apartheid.

Thus WE URGE all filmmakers, producers, artists, activists, and the audience to take action, WE URGE all queers to BOYCOTT the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival until they stop  accepting funding from Israel and pinkwashing it’s crime until the time comes when Israel is in compliance with its obligations under international law and fully respects Palestinian rights.

Why Boycott?

In 2004, inspired by the triumphant cultural boycott of apartheid South Africa, and supported by key Palestinian unions and cultural groups, PACBI issued a call for the academic and cultural boycott of institutions involved or complicit in Israel’s occupation and apartheid, along with those who whitewash its crimes [2] Following this, in 2005, an overwhelming majority in Palestinian civil society called for an all-encompassing BDS campaign based on the principles of human rights, justice, freedom and equality [3].  The BDS movement adopts a nonviolent, morally consistent strategy to hold Israel accountable to the same human rights standards as other nations. It is asking artists, festivals, and activists around the world to heed the boycott call until “Israel withdraws from all the lands occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem; removes all its colonies in those lands; agrees to United Nations resolutions relevant to the restitution of Palestinian refugees rights; and dismantles its system of apartheid.” [4]

Following these calls on June 27th 2010, a group of Palestinian Queer activists issued a call, calling upon all LGBTQI groups, organizations and individuals around the world to Boycott the Apartheid State of Israel. [5]

Taking part in a festival that accepts Israeli funding, thus pinkwashing its apartheid, would constitute a rejection of the appeal from over 170 civil society organizations, including Palestinian queer groups and organizations, that comprise the Palestinian BDS movement.

What can I do?

QUIT! has issued an action alert asking people to call Frameline any time on Wed June 1st and demand that they return the consulate’s money and renounce their sponsorship.  If you are or have been a member, please let them know that and say that you will not renew your membership and might consider boycotting the festival if they continue to partner with the Israeli government.  If you get a voicemail, leave a message.  If you get a busy signal or no answer, send a fax (preferably) or email kcprice@frameline.org and jennifer@frameline.org (cc info@quitpalestine.org).

You can also FAX messages to them in addition to calling.

The Frameline phone number is:  415 703-8650

The FAX number is:  415 861 -1404

Thank you,

Palestinian Queers for BDS

——————————————-

[1] http://pacbi.org/etemplate.php?id=1047

[2] http://pacbi.org/etemplate.php?id=869

[3] http://bdsmovement.net/?q=node/52

[4] http://www.pacbi.org/etemplate.php?id=868

[5] http://pqbds.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/palestinian-queers-for-bds-call-upon-

 


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