14 DEMANDS
AGAINST ARTISTIC CENSORSHIP &
GENOCIDE OF
PALESTINIAN CULTURE
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"Colonialism is not just about the economic and political control of vast territories; it is also about the control of knowledge and representation"
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EDWARD SAID
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WRITER AND ACADEMIC
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14 DEMANDS
AGAINST ARTISTIC CENSORSHIP &
GENOCIDE OF
PALESTINIAN CULTURE
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These fourteen demands are collated in response to the question “What can we do?” often asked when artists are attacked or Palestine is on the front page of the news. The aim is to provide a framework for international artists, activists and cultural organisations to mobilise around and the values that should be embedded in any action.
The echo the call for action from across the Palestinian arts sector and are embedded in the decades-long work, research and action of artists, academics, activists, journalists, protest movements and human rights groups.
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Each demand highlights a different area of Palestinian cultural genocide, censorship and attacks on Palestinian artists and their allies, with a particular focus on Gaza, West Bank, 48 and in countries that fund, arm and support Israel. Links point you toward the rich individual and collective knowledge of others. We also provide personal testimonies from artists, that can be read publicly as part of the project The Revolution's Promise.
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Each demand includes examples of actions people worldwide have taken, celebrating what has been achieved and inspiring this present call to action.
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The focus here is on Palestinian artists and culture, but please note that many of the issues affect all Palestinians and other artists globally. We hope this contributes to the larger movement for equality, justice and liberation for Palestinians and all worldwide. Whether on the streets, in direct action or on the stage, we urge you to use arts to hold power to account and speak out against the root causes of injustice.​
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We encourage you to use these demands for statements, protests or actions.
01
STAND AGAINST
THE KILLING
OF ARTISTS
Stand against Israel’s targeting and murder of Palestinian artists and take action to halt global manufacturing and
sale of weapons.
03
Stop the eradication of Palestinian cultural heritage
and knowledge through settlement expansion and targeted destruction,
bulldozing and bombing.
04
Stop appropriating and stealing Palestinian culture and return books, artefacts and all objects that
have been taken.
05
Understand and advocate for war crimes to be prosecuted in the ICC, including the persecution of artists and
the destruction of
cultural heritage.
06
07
Demand an end to Israel's
Gaza blockade, control of Palestinian borders, and restrictions on movement. Advocate for global travel rights, free from
discrimination and visas.
08
09
Say no to complicity and
join the Cultural Boycott
as part of the Boycott, Divestment &
Sanctions (BDS)
movement.
10
Sever funding ties with companies, corporations, and banks that invest in and facilitate Israel's war crimes and violations
11
12
​Respect Palestinian artists by paying for work, removing political stipulations for funding and factor in the additional costs faced.
Learn about Anti-Palestinian Racism and put an end to the ways this manifests in
cultural spaces.
13
Say no to all forms of discrimination, racism and religious hate, building an intersectional movement for equality, justice and liberation for all.