Breaking: London’s Tricycle Theatre lifts boycott of Jewish Film Festival

The theatre, in Kilburn, northwest London created a censorship furore when it demanded right of approval of films in the Jewish Film Festival and that the festival refuse a small subsidy from the Israeli Embassy. The demands were made amid heightened anti-Israel rhetoric in UK media.

Today, the Tricycle backed down. The Jewish film festival will go ahead at the Tricycle, with funding from the Israeli Embassy.

A sensible, civilised result, the outcome of reasonable discussions. Let’s hope they emulate that spirit in the Middle East.

Statement posted here.

A joint statement from the UKJFF and Tricycle Theatre:
Some weeks ago the UKJFF fell out, very publicly, with the Tricycle over a condition imposed by the Tricycle regarding funding. This provoked considerable public upset. Both organisations have come together to end that.

Following lengthy discussions between the Tricycle and UKJFF, the Tricycle has now withdrawn its objection and invited back the UK Jewish Film Festival on the same terms as in previous years with no restrictions on funding from the Embassy of Israel in London.

The UKJFF and the Tricycle have agreed to work together to rebuild their relationship and although the festival is not able to return in 2014, we hope to begin the process of rebuilding trust and confidence with a view to holding events in the future.

We both profoundly hope that those who take differing views on the events of the last few weeks will follow our lead and come together to acknowledge that dialogue, reconciliation and engagement will resolve points of difference and ensure that cultural diversity thrives in all communities.’