Latest news with #UKLFI
Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Massive Attack, Kneecap and more fight back on 'organised censorship' from music industry
Massive Attack, Kneecap, Fontaines D.C. and Brian Eno have formed an alliance to protect artists openly supportive of Palestine from censorship and intimidation from the music industry The British band Massive Attack have formed an alliance for artists who are facing intimidation from within the music industry over their support of Palestine and Gaza. The collective known as Ethical Syndicate Palestine (ESP) is supported by Kneecap, Fontaines D.C. and Brian Eno and cites 'organised censorship' of artists who have spoken out about Israel 's military action. The statement shared by Massive Attack and others on Instagram reads: 'The scenes in Gaza have moved beyond description. We write as artists who've chosen to use our public platforms to speak out against the genocide occurring there and the role of the UK government in facilitating it.' In their statement, ESP alleges accounts of organised intimidation: 'We're aware of the scale of aggressive, vexatious campaigns operated by [UK Lawyers for Israel] UKLFI and of multiple individual incidences of intimidation within the music industry itself, designed solely to censor and silence artists from speaking their hearts and minds.' In a statement to The Mirror, Caroline Turner, Director of UKLFI, wrote: "The claims that we have bullied Massive Attack and operated aggressive vexations campaigns are false." She further describes Massive Attack's June 2025 performance at Lido Festival as "divisive and offensive political theatre." READ MORE: Massive Attack slam 'unethical' Barclays and demand removal of adverts at venue before gig ESP singled out UKLFI in their statement, accusing the association of intimidating artists. In their ESP Instagram posts, Brian Eno, Kneecap and Massive Attack all tagged the activist group Led By Donkeys, which released a film on July 17, 2025 calling for an investigation into UKLFI's charitable wing. Turner says UKLFI responded to Led by Donkeys before they screened their film and contends that their allegations mainly concerned UKLFI Ltd, which is not a charity, rather than UKLFI Charitable Trust. In recent months, UKLFI reported the band Bob Vylan to the police for leading a chant of 'death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]' during their Glastonbury set. It also reported the BBC for broadcasting the set and wrote to the Academy of Music Group advising them to cancel Vylan's Radar Festival performance. Mr Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (aka Mo Chara), a member of the music trio Kneecap, was charged with a terrorism offence in May 2025 after being reported to the police by UKLFI. Mr Ó hAnnaidh will appear at court for the next hearing on August 20, 2025. UKLFI wrote to all the UK venues where Kneecap was due to perform over the summer, to warn them of the risks of allowing them to perform. The musicians of ESP say their goal is to protect other artists, particularly those at early stages of their careers. 'Having withstood these campaigns of attempted censorship, we won't standby & allow other artists – particularly those at earlier stages of their careers or in other positions of professional vulnerability – to be threatened into silence or career cancellation. 'In this spirit, we encourage artists who've been placed in this position, or those who now wish to use their platforms to talk about Palestine, but are concerted about industrial or legal repercussions to contact us,' their statement reads. The syndicate also urges artists to make a stand on demands including immediate unfettered access to Gaza for recognised aid agencies, an end to UK arms sales and licences to Israel, and an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Artists including Paloma Faith, Bob Vylan, Aja Monet, Saul Williams, and AURORA all commented expressions of support on Instagram. Paloma Faith wrote: 'I've been shadow banned for some time!!! Keep going everyone, it's going to eventually change! Hang in there'. The Scottish rock band Garbage have also publicly joined the syndicate. The Mirror has reached out to the Ethical Syndicate Palestine for comment. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Royal Academy ‘displays anti-Semitic art' for a second time
The Royal Academy of Arts has been accused of displaying anti-Semitic artwork inspired by the war in Gaza for a second time. Jewish visitors said they had been left upset by two pieces of artwork by Michael Sandle, a Royal Academy member, that were still on display at the Summer Exhibition as of Friday. One £6,000 piece in the display titled 'Terrorist versus smiling mass murderer of innocents', shows what appears to be a Hamas member standing next to an Israeli air force pilot with a damaged building in the background. A second work, titled 'Apropos terror – a pilot doesn't hear the screams of the women and children he is massacring with impunity', is a slightly larger version of the first piece and priced at £25,000. Caroline Turner, the director of UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), wrote to Natasha Mitchell, the Royal Academy's interim secretary and chief executive, calling for them to be removed. Ms Turner wrote: 'The titles of both these drawings imply that Israel is purposely slaughtering women and children.' 'This is far from the truth, since the Israeli army does all it can to avoid harming women and children, while targeting Hamas terrorists, who unfortunately use women and children as human shields,' the letter added. The letter was also sent to Batia Ofer, the chairwoman of the Royal Academy Trust and an Israeli-Canadian patroness and philanthropist. Explaining why the artworks were anti-Semitic, the Ms Turner wrote that the pictures applied 'double standards by requiring of Israel a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation which can be anti-Semitic according to example eight of the IHRA's [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance] working definition of anti-Semitism'. 'The images use the symbols and images associated with classic anti-Semitism (eg claims of Jews killing children) to characterise Israel or Israelis; This is anti-Semitic according to example nine of the IHRA definition,' the letter says. The letter, seen by The Telegraph, adds: 'Accusing Jews of killing babies/children is an old-fashioned blood libel. Sandle should be aware that Israel aims to kill terrorists, not innocent children and others.' Mrs Turner also claimed the Royal Academy was breaching the 2010 Equality Act because Sandle's art was 'likely to create an intimidating, hostile and offensive environment for Jews and Israelis who visit the gallery'. One Jewish visitor said: 'I just went to the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition. And there is some disgusting anti-Semitic art hanging there by an artist called Sandle. Unsurprisingly, this isn't the first time.' Last year, the Royal Academy apologised for displaying artwork likening Israel to Nazi Germany in an annual Summer Show competition. One piece by a 16-year-old named as 'Andy', which was later removed, appeared to compare Israel's actions in Gaza to Nazism by featuring Arab women screaming under the shadow of a swastika and the looming figure of Buddha. A note with the piece stated: 'Watching the conflict unravel in Gaza draws many parallels with the Nazis and Chinese oppression, hence the Buddha symbol and the swastika.' A second piece, which was removed, was a photograph of a protester claiming Israel was committing genocide. The photograph, taken by an 18-year-old named 'Kausar', featured a man holding a sign stating: 'Jews say stop genocide on Palestinians: not in our name.' Ms Turner claimed the Royal Academy has 'failed to take the concerns of your Jewish visitors into account'. She added: 'We are of course, in favour of freedom of artistic expression, but not freedom to express hateful anti-Semitic sentiments, which stoke up hatred against Jews and Israelis.' In a statement, the Royal Academy said works in the exhibition 'often reflect current societal and political topics'. It said that artworks in the Summer Exhibition 'should not be read as the Royal Academy supporting any particular artist's point of view'. The Royal Academy added: 'We always take all concerns about artworks on display in the Summer Exhibition seriously; however, our role, as an artist and architect-led organisation, is to allow all artists the ability to express themselves. 'The Royal Academy is an organisation led by artists and architects and is committed to freedom of expression.' In a further letter, Ms Mitchell insisted they were not breaching the Equality Act and added: 'It is simply untrue to state that we are ignoring the matter, or the concerns raised.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Royal Academy ‘displays anti-Semitic art' for a second time
The Royal Academy of Arts has been accused of displaying anti-Semitic artwork inspired by the war in Gaza for a second time. Jewish visitors said they had been left upset by two pieces of artwork by Michael Sandle, a Royal Academy member, that were still on display at the Summer Exhibition as of Friday. One £6,000 piece in the display titled 'Terrorist versus smiling mass murderer of innocents', shows what appears to be a Hamas member standing next to an Israeli air force pilot with a damaged building in the background. A second work, titled 'Apropos terror – a pilot doesn't hear the screams of the women and children he is massacring with impunity', is a slightly larger version of the first piece and priced at £25,000. Caroline Turner, the director of UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), wrote to Natasha Mitchell, the Royal Academy's interim secretary and chief executive, calling for them to be removed. Ms Turner wrote: 'The titles of both these drawings imply that Israel is purposely slaughtering women and children.' 'This is far from the truth, since the Israeli army does all it can to avoid harming women and children, while targeting Hamas terrorists, who unfortunately use women and children as human shields,' the letter added. The letter was also sent to Batia Ofer, the chairwoman of the Royal Academy Trust and an Israeli-Canadian patroness and philanthropist. Explaining why the artworks were anti-Semitic, the Ms Turner wrote that the pictures applied 'double standards by requiring of Israel a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation which can be anti-Semitic according to example eight of the IHRA's [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance] working definition of anti-Semitism'. 'The images use the symbols and images associated with classic anti-Semitism (eg claims of Jews killing children) to characterise Israel or Israelis; This is anti-Semitic according to example nine of the IHRA definition,' the letter says. The letter, seen by The Telegraph, adds: 'Accusing Jews of killing babies/children is an old-fashioned blood libel. Sandle should be aware that Israel aims to kill terrorists, not innocent children and others.' Mrs Turner also claimed the Royal Academy was breaching the 2010 Equality Act because Sandle's art was 'likely to create an intimidating, hostile and offensive environment for Jews and Israelis who visit the gallery'. One Jewish visitor said: 'I just went to the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition. And there is some disgusting anti-Semitic art hanging there by an artist called Sandle. Unsurprisingly, this isn't the first time.' Last year, the Royal Academy apologised for displaying artwork likening Israel to Nazi Germany in an annual Summer Show competition. One piece by a 16-year-old named as 'Andy', which was later removed, appeared to compare Israel's actions in Gaza to Nazism by featuring Arab women screaming under the shadow of a swastika and the looming figure of Buddha. A note with the piece stated: 'Watching the conflict unravel in Gaza draws many parallels with the Nazis and Chinese oppression, hence the Buddha symbol and the swastika.' A second piece, which was removed, was a photograph of a protester claiming Israel was committing genocide. The photograph, taken by an 18-year-old named 'Kausar', featured a man holding a sign stating: 'Jews say stop genocide on Palestinians: not in our name.' Ms Turner claimed the Royal Academy has 'failed to take the concerns of your Jewish visitors into account'. She added: 'We are of course, in favour of freedom of artistic expression, but not freedom to express hateful anti-Semitic sentiments, which stoke up hatred against Jews and Israelis.' In a statement, the Royal Academy said works in the exhibition 'often reflect current societal and political topics'. It said that artworks in the Summer Exhibition 'should not be read as the Royal Academy supporting any particular artist's point of view'. The Royal Academy added: 'We always take all concerns about artworks on display in the Summer Exhibition seriously; however, our role, as an artist and architect-led organisation, is to allow all artists the ability to express themselves. 'The Royal Academy is an organisation led by artists and architects and is committed to freedom of expression.' In a further letter, Ms Mitchell insisted they were not breaching the Equality Act and added: 'It is simply untrue to state that we are ignoring the matter, or the concerns raised.'
Middle East Eye
6 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Charity Commission launches investigation into UK Lawyers for Israel's charitable trust
The UK's charity regulator is investigating the UK Lawyers for Israel Charitable Trust following complaints about the organisation's conduct. A spokesperson for the Charity Commission confirmed to Middle East Eye that it is investigating the Trust's relationship with UK Lawyers for Israel, a separate non-profit organisation. 'We can confirm that we already have an active case open into UKLFI Charitable Trust,' the spokesperson told MEE. 'Further concerns have been raised with us about the charity, which we will assess as part of the case to determine what, if any, role there is for us as regulator.' The spokesperson clarified that the ongoing case centres on the relationship between the UKLFI Charitable Trust, a registered charity, and UK Lawyers for Israel, which is not a charity and therefore falls outside the commission's regulatory remit. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The commission did not specify how long the investigation will take or what findings, if any, have been produced so far. UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) is a legal advocacy organisation that supports Israel by using legal and regulatory tools to challenge activities and campaigns it views as anti-Israel or unlawful. UKLFI Charitable Trust is the charitable arm of UKLFI, supporting educational and legal initiatives related to Israel and international law. The charity says it focuses on promoting public understanding of legal issues concerning Israel and combating antisemitism through lawful means. The commission's decision to investigate UKLFI Charitable Trust comes amid growing calls to examine the group's charitable status and assess whether it is fulfilling its charitable objectives. UKLFI did not respond to Middle East Eye's request for comment at the time of writing. Pro-Palestine groups have accused UKLFI's advocacy arm of using the law to stifle and silence critics of Israel. Last week, Led by Donkeys, a British political campaign group, projected a video outside the Charity Commission's office calling for an investigation into UK Lawyers for Israel Charitable Trust. The group accused UKLFI of violating charity regulations by engaging in political lobbying and endorsing far-right Israeli politicians, rather than remaining educational or neutral as required by law. Earlier this year, Cage International submitted a complaint to the Charity Commission against UKLFI and the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) over their support for Israel and its war on Gaza. The CAA did not respond to MEE's request for comment at the time of writing. The complaint followed the publication of a report by Cage titled "Britain's Apartheid Apologists", which accused UKLFI and CAA of abusing 'regulatory authorities in Britain to attack and harass' pro-Palestinian voices in the UK. 'UKLFI and CAA are Britain's leading enablers of the livestreamed genocide. They aid regulators like the Charity Commission to stifle free speech and pro-Palestinian activism in the UK," said Anas Mustapha, Head of Public Advocacy at Cage. 'The Charity Commission must end its charity cover used to provide an advocacy infrastructure in support of genocide.' In January, the Charity's Commission said "it is not lawful" for British charities to raise funds or send money to soldiers fighting for the Israeli army. This statement comes after the Commission issued a warning against Chabad Lubavitch Centres North East London and Essex Limited after the charity received 180 complaints for raising money for a soldier fighting for the Israeli army in northern Israel. Since October 2023, the Charity Commission has opened more than 200 regulatory cases related to the war on Gaza. The commission said the investigations involved charities with different positions on the war.
Egypt Independent
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Independent
Massive Attack, Brian Eno among UK and Irish musicians banding together to speak out on Israel's war in Gaza
CNN — A group of musicians from the United Kingdom and Ireland say they have formed a syndicate to advocate for artists speaking out against Israel's war in Gaza and the role of foreign governments in funding it. 'Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry' and 'legally via organised bodies such as UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI),' read a social media post by the band Massive Attack, a version of which has been shared by Kneecap and Fontaines D.C., as well as musician and producer Brian Eno. The musicians said they are aware of 'aggressive, vexatious campaigns operated by UKLFI and of multiple individual incidences of intimidation within the music industry itself' designed to censor and silence artists. Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI, said in a statement to CNN Friday: 'Massive Attack has launched an attack on our organization, which helps to protect victims of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel racism.' 'Unfortunately, antisemitism has become an everyday part of life in the UK, and those trying to protect its victims are now subject to vicious attacks by the perpetrators,' Turner added. The posts come after Northern Irish rappers Kneecap and the British rap-punk duo Bob Vylan drew criticism for their pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel rhetoric. Both faced police investigations for their performances at Glastonbury music festival, following reports by UKLFI. Avon and Somerset Police said Friday that it was dropping its criminal investigation into Kneecap, saying there was 'insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence.' Police are still investigating Bob Vylan's comments at the festival. UKLFI said it reported a singer in Bob Vylan to the police for chanting 'Death to the IDF' during their Glastonbury set, referring to the Israeli military. It also reported UK public broadcaster the BBC for showing the set. The BBC later called Bob Vylan's performance 'antisemitic' and said it should not have been broadcast. A member of Kneecap, which has been a vocal critic of Israel and the war in Gaza, was charged with a terrorism offense last month for allegedly displaying a flag 'in support of Hezbollah,' according to London police, following a report by UKLFI. UK counterterrorism police said they were investigating the group after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for British politicians to be killed and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah,' in apparent support for the militant groups from Gaza and Lebanon, respectively, both enemies of Israel. Kneecap has previously said it has never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and that the footage circulating online has been 'deliberately taken out of all context' as part of a 'smear campaign' following their criticism of Israel and the United States over the former's 20-month war in Gaza. Both Bob Vylan and Kneecap have faced widespread gig cancellations. UKLFI said it had written to the UK venues where Kneecap was due to perform this summer and warned them 'of the risks of allowing them to perform.' The US State Department banned Bob Vylan from performing in the US. In their joint social media posts, the musicians in the newly-formed alliance encouraged other artists who wish to speak up but are afraid of repercussions to contact them. 'The scenes in Gaza have moved beyond description,' said the post announcing the formation of the syndicate, which calls for a ceasefire; the 'immediate, unfettered access' of aid to Gaza; the end of UK arms sales to Israel; and other measures. 'Having withstood these campaigns of attempted censorship, we won't stand by and allow other artists – particularly those at earlier stages of their careers or in other positions of professional vulnerability – to be threatened into silence or career cancellation.' The English singer Paloma Faith lent her support on the post shared by Kneecap. 'Keep going everyone it's going to eventually change! Hang in there,' she wrote in a comment via her verified account on Instagram.
