The Barbican Centre in London is the latest recipient of threatening letters from UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) — an organisation which has become notorious for its efforts to shut down public expressions of support for the Palestinians. 

Previous targets of its legalistic letters have included art galleries, a hospital, a cinema, a museum, churches, student unions, local councils and a football club.

UKLFI is now objecting to a show called Voices of Resilience, due to be hosted by the Barbican on September 14. The publicity describes it as “an evening of testimonies reflecting upon the resilience of Palestinians in Gaza accompanied by traditional Arabic music and a visual score”. It will also include “testimonies from people experiencing what Amnesty International has called ‘alarming signs of genocide’.”

In a post on its website UKLFI denounces the event as “promoting a political viewpoint” and also, inexplicably, changes its name from “Voices of Resilience” to “Voices of Resistance”. **

In calling for the event to be cancelled, UKLFI raises a series of legal objections. It argues that by hosting the event the Barbican would breach the Charity Commission’s guidelines on political activities: “Promoting the false claim [sic] that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza appears to be political activity outside the Barbican’s charitable objects, which are to support arts and cultural activities.” It adds:

“A show promoting the idea that Israel has committed a genocide is also likely to stir up religious hatred against Jews and Israelis, contrary to Section 18 of the Public Order Act 1986.

“Furthermore, by presenting this show, the Barbican could breach Section 29 of the Equality Act 2010 (“the Act”). It is likely to discriminate against Jews and Israelis, who have protected characteristics of race, religion and belief under section 4 of Act. Any Jewish or Israeli person attending the event is likely to feel that there is an intimidating, hostile and offensive environment, given the content of the show. This would amount to harassment under the Act.”

A previous performance of the same show took place in Manchester last April. It was initially cancelled by the host, the HOME arts centre, following objections from a local Jewish organisation but eventually went ahead under tight security.

UKLFI’s intimidation of small-scale venues hosting Palestine-related events often goes unnoticed but the Barbican, as one of Britain’s most prominent cultural centres, is a different matter. Cancelling “Voices of Resilience” would almost certainly result in protests by prominent figures in the arts community and boycotts by some performers. Cancelling would also amount to an abrogation of the Barbican’s stated policy which says …

“We have, and are committed to maintaining, a varied and daring events programme — one which inspires, connects and provokes debate.

“Artists play a crucial role in reflecting, commenting on and responding to the issues of the day, including subjects that are urgent, complex or divisive. Cultural institutions such as the Barbican have a responsibility to provide artists — particularly those who may have been marginalised — with a platform to do so.

“Our programming therefore often deals with political and social topics, and we aim to host the broadest and most diverse range of artists and thinkers, representing the widest possible range of world views and human experiences.” 

** UPDATE, 1 September 2024: UKLFI has now corrected the name.