Belgian arts centre joins cultural boycott of Israel

A prominent Belgian arts centre has joined the cultural boycott of Israel, rejecting an invitation to perform at the Israel Festival which begins at the end of the month.

According to a public statement, the Ghent-based centre had originally intended to use its presence at the festival to “convey our solidarity and support for artists that, due to conditions of war, cannot express themselves freely.”

However, after “dialogue” with the Belgian Campaign for an Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, CAMPO “decided not to take part”, since “strengthening this platform is the most logical choice.” A “united cultural sector”, the statement continues, “is more important than a potential single action.”

With a growing boycott campaign, the Israel Festival has, in the words of its director, “had to face, like many cultural and academic bodies in the country, BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions].”

CAMPO creates, presents or supports over 400 shows and events a year, from theatre and dance to performance and visual arts. It has artists in residence, hosts work from other companies, and last season presented more than 220 shows worldwide.

Full text of CAMPO statement (thanks to Nina Swen for translation)

It was not self-evident to respond to an invitation of the Israel Festival to perform Mystery Magnet, a piece by Miet Warlop & Campo, knowing that the current political situation in Israel is one of war. We tried to balance the interests of our artists with our social commitments. We wanted to use our presence at the festival to make a statement, in which we would convey our solidarity and support for artists that, due to conditions of war, cannot express themselves freely. In agreement with the management of Les Ballets C de la B, we decided months ago that we would donate all our earnings to the ‘Foundation Balletteux Ghent’, an initiative of Ballets C de la B that seeks to support artists in areas of conflict.

The recently created BACBI (Belgian Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel) and their open letter changed the context completely. When we saw their request yesterday we immediately stated that we were open for a dialogue. Currently, strengthening this platform is the most logical choice. A united cultural sector is more important than a potential single action. That is why the CAMPO-leaders and Miet Warlop have decided not to take part in the Israel Festival. We hope to make an equally powerful, if not more powerful statement than was originally intended.