The letter below criticises the UK government’s shameful ‘hostile environment’ policy, as it impacts on artists, and in particular artists from Gaza. Israel’s policies have brought Gaza to the brink of economic, social and ecological collapse. To refuse visas to individuals who use all their efforts to be productive and creative in the face of dire circumstances, largely brought about by Israeli policy, makes the UK an accomplice in a strategy of collective punishment.
*UK-based academics and artists can sign the letter here.*
We, U.K. based artists and academics are dismayed that two Palestinian filmmakers Yousef Nateel and Hussein Owda from Gaza have been refused visitor visas to the UK. Their film Gazagraph is part of ‘The Past in the Present’ film programme developed for Creative Interruptions, a major research project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. They have been invited to attend the world premiere of their film, take part in further screenings and participate in an academic conference and networking events at Sheffield Hallam University, the British Film Institute, Kings College London, Regents University, Migration Matters Festival in Sheffield and HOME in Manchester . The events are due to take place in June.
We are alarmed at the recent trend of rejecting entry to academics and artists from Gaza. In August 2018 the Home Office delayed granting a visa to the Palestinian Author Nayrouz Qarmout making it impossible for her to attend the Edinburgh International Book Festival. In the same month they prevented the young Palestinian visual artist Malak Mattar from attending an exhibition containing her own work. We wish to challenge what is a systemic problem affecting all artists in the Global South. Over the last two years there has been a significant increase in the number of rejections. In the case of Gaza, the systematic isolation of its artists and academics by the British government not only impedes academic and cultural exchange but also colludes in Israel’s efforts to isolate and inflict collective punishment on the people of Gaza. We call on the Home Office to reconsider their decision and allow Yousef and Hussein visitor visas to the U.K. to share their creative talents here.
List of signatories:
| Adam Sargant | Storyteller |
| Aitemad Muhanna-MATAR | Middle East Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science |
| Alberto Fernández Carbajal | University of Roehampton |
| Alex Callinicos | Professor of European Studies, King’s College London |
| Alison Gibbons | Sheffield Hallam University |
| Alnoor Mutha | Senior Research Fellow |
| Amani Hassani | PhD, independent researcher |
| Anand Pillay | Mathematics, Visiting Professor, Leeds |
| Anandi Ramamurthy | Sheffield Hallam University |
| Angela Martin | film editor; former Snr Lecturer, Sheffield Hallam University |
| Anita Rupprecht | Principal Lecturer, University of Brighton |
| Anna Bernard | King’s College London |
| Anna Francis | Associate Professor |
| Annabelle Sreberny | Emeritus professor, SOAS, University of London |
| Annaliese Connolly | Sheffield Hallam University |
| April de Angelis | Playwright |
| Ash Kotak | Writer and curator |
| Ava Hunt | University of Derby |
| Aydan Greatrick | University College London |
| Barry Heselwood | University of Leeds |
| Bashir Abu-Manneh | University of Kent |
| Ben Rogaly | Professor of Human Geography, University of Sussex |
| Betty Hunter | Honorary President Palestine Solidarity Campaign |
| Binita Walia | Artist and Marketing and PR Consultant |
| Bob Jeffery | Senior Lecturer, Sheffield Hallam University |
| Cadi Catlow | Animation director |
| Caroline Parker MBE | Actress/arts practitioner |
| Caroline Rooney | Professor of African and Middle Eatern Studies, Kent |
| Caryl Churchill | Playwright |
| Cat Villiers | film producer |
| Catherine Charrett | Queen Mary University of London |
| Cathy Bergin | University of Brighton |
| Christian Hogsbjerg | University of Brighton |
| Claudia Kappenberg | University of Brighton |
| Dani Abulhawa | Sheffield Hallam University |
| Daniele Rugo | Brunel University London |
| David Roger | Production Designer in Film/Television Member of Artists for Palestine UK |
| David Thorpe | Audiobook narrator and tutor |
| Delmozene Morris-Ley | Examiner |
| Derek Attridge | University of York |
| Diane Langford | Writer |
| Douglas Kuhrt | Theatre Lighting designer |
| Dr Adi Kuntsman | Senior Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University |
| Dr Aida Foroutan | Artist & Art Historian |
| Dr Anne Alexander | University of Cambridge |
| Dr Fahid Qurashi | Staffordshire University |
| Dr Hassan Hakimian | Director, London Middle East Institute, SOAS |
| Dr Hilary Aked | Writer |
| Dr Judy Price | University of Brighton |
| Dr Karis Campion | University of Manchester |
| Dr Katy Sian | Lecturer in Sociology, University of York |
| Dr Katy Sian | University of York |
| Dr Ken Fero | Regents University London |
| Dr Melanie Richter-Montpetit | Lecturer in International Security, University of Sussex |
| Dr Michael Pierse | Senior Lecturer, School of AEL, Queen’s University Belfast |
| Dr Paul Kelemen | University of Manchester |
| Dr Rajesh Patel | Senior Lecturer Manchester Metropolitan University |
| Dr Rich Moth | Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Liverpool Hope University |
| Dr Rick Bowler | Senior Lecturer Community and Youth Work Studies |
| Dr Robin Dunford | University of Brighton |
| Dr Sabina Shah | Independent academic essayist and filmmaker |
| Dr Sam Browse | Sheffield Hallam University |
| Dr Sarah Irving | Linnaeus University, Sweden |
| Dr Shameela Islam-Zulfiqar | University of Manchester |
| Dr Steven Lucas | Lecturer at Liverpool Hope University |
| Dr Zoe Norridge | King’s College London |
| Dr. Caitlin Fox-Hodess | Lecturer, University of Sheffield |
| Dr. Mark Abel | University of Brighton |
| Ekua Bayunu | International Artist |
| Elena Fiddian-Qasmiyeh | Professor of Migration and Refugee Studies, UCL |
| Elizabeth Lynch | Research Fellow Birkbeck Contemporary Theatre |
| Erica Burman | Professor of Education, University of Manchester |
| Eugene Michail | University of Brighton |
| Eva McQuade | Student |
| Eyal Clyne | Sociologist |
| Faith Taylor | Teaching Associate, QMUL |
| Farah Haddad | RefuAid |
| Farhana Sheikh | Writer |
| Francis Campbell | actor/musician |
| Gary Cordingley | Artist |
| Gaydon Phillips | Former stage manager. Literary manager. |
| George Legg | King’s College London |
| George Matheson | |
| Gilbert Achcar | SOAS, University of London |
| Gillian slovo | Writer |
| Haim Bresheeth | SOAS London |
| Hanan Abdalla | Filmmaker |
| Haytham Bayasi | translator, editor |
| Hilary Rose | Emerita Professor of Social Policy University of Bradford |
| Hilary Wise | Retired senior lecturer, Queen Mary, University of London |
| Harriet Walter | Actor |
| Ian McDonald | Newcastle University |
| Ian Parker | Emeritus Professor of Management, University of Leicester |
| Ilan Pappe | historian |
| Izzat Darwazeh | Professor, University College London |
| James Dickins | Prof. of Arabic, University of Leeds |
| James Krishna Floyd | Actor/Writer |
| Jamila Boughelaf | Dancer |
| Jananne Al-Ani | Artist |
| Jane Elliott | King’s College London |
| Janet Watson | University of Leeds |
| Jared Margulies | University of Sheffield |
| Jas Nijjar | Brunel University London |
| Jason Hird | dancer |
| Javed Majeed | King’s College London |
| Jawed Siddiqi | Sheffield Hallam Univesity |
| Jayne Davies | Heritage Project Officer |
| Jeff Young | Writer |
| Jennifer Fearon | Sheffield Hallam University |
| Jo Beck | Art Director |
| John Hextall | Company manager |
| John Morgan | artist |
| John Narayan | Birmingham City University |
| John Rwothomach | Director/Playwright/Actor |
| Jon Pullman | Filmmaker |
| Jonathan Gilhooly | Lecturer, University of Brighton |
| Jonathan Meth | Curator, The Fence network; Associate Lecturer, Institute for Creative & Cultural Entrepreneurship, Goldsmiths; Visiting Fellow, Department of Film, Theatre & Television, University of Reading |
| Jonathan Rosenhead | Emeritus Professor, London School of Economics |
| Jonathan Tate | |
| Kalpana Wilson | Birkbeck, University of London |
| Kani | Artist |
| Karen Grainger | Sheffield Hallam University |
| Karren Winchester | Actor |
| Katucha Bento | University of Leeds |
| Kellie Thompson | Liverpool Hope University |
| Ken Jones | Emeritus Professor, Goldsmiths, University of London |
| Ken Loach | filmmaker |
| Khaldoun Shami | Academic Researcher in Documentary Film, Secularism and Minorities |
| Kooj Chuhan | Artist and Filmmaker |
| L Whitworth | University of Brighton |
| Laura Mulvey | Professor, Birkbeck College, University of London |
| Lee Jasper | Professor at UNI. Under No Illusions |
| Leon Sealey-Huggins | Lecturer University of Warwick |
| Lisa Stampnitzky | Lecturer in Politics, University of Sheffield |
| Louise Purbrick | University of Brighton |
| Lowkey | Musician |
| Lucy Hanson | Senior Lecturer, Liverpool Hope University |
| Lyndsey Stonebridge | Professor of. Humanites and Human Rights, University of Birmingham |
| LynneSegal | Birkbeck, University of London |
| Madhav Sharma | Actor |
| Madhu Krishnan | Senior Lecturer in Postcolonial Writing, University of Bristol |
| Majd | University lecturer |
| Manick Govinda | Freelance Arts Consultant |
| Manju Gregory | Kabutar theatre |
| Marcella Mameli-Badi | Ceramicist, teacher |
| Margareta Kern | Lecturer, Falmouth University |
| Matthew Zajac | Artistic Director, Dogstar Theatre company |
| Maxine | Community Advocacy |
| Mazen Masri | City, University of London |
| Meg Oxford | Creative Director |
| Mica Nava | Emeritus Professor, University of East London |
| Mike Dibb | Independent UK Documentary Producer/Director |
| Mim Shaikh | Broadcaster / Actor / Spoken Word Artist |
| Miriam Margolyes | Actress |
| Miss Nicole Mailer | Freelance Arts worker |
| Musheir El-Farra | Film Maker |
| Nadia Edmond | Principal lecturer Education, university of Brighton |
| Nadia Sibany | Dancer |
| Nadje Al-Ali | SOAS University of London |
| Neve Gordon | Queen Mary University of London |
| Nicholas Harrison | King’s College London |
| Noga RItter | singer-songwriter, artist, workshop facilitator |
| Nooshin Farhid | Artist & Associate Lecturer MAFA |
| Nora Parr | SOAS, University of London |
| Norman Walshe | Film production design |
| Omar Aysha | Filmmaker |
| Patrick Williams | Manchester Metropolitan University |
| Paul Laverty | Screenwriter |
| Paul Mason | Journalist |
| Penny Woolcock | writer/director |
| Pete kaLu | Artist |
| Peter Chand | Professional Storyteller |
| Peter Jones | Sheffield Hallam Universtiy |
| Philomena Harrison | Psychiatric Social worker/senior lecturer in Social work |
| Photini Vrikki | Brunel University London |
| Prof John S Yudkin | University College London |
| Prof. Bob Brecher | University of Brighton |
| Prof. Hagit Borer FBA | Queen Mary University of London |
| Rachel Garfield | University of Reading |
| Rachel Seoighe | Lecturer in Criminology, University of Kent |
| Raisah Ahmed | Screenwriter & Director |
| Ramzy Suleiman | Musician 47soul |
| Rasha Soliman | University of Leeds |
| Ray Bush | Professor of African Studies and Development Politics, University of Leeds |
| Rebecca Hayes Laughton | Theatre Producer/Director & Drama school lecturer |
| Rebecca O’Brien | Film producer |
| Rebecca Ruth Gould | University of Birmingham |
| Rehan Sheikh | Actor |
| Remi Joseph-Salisbury | Presidential Fellow, University of Manchester |
| Revd Canon Garth Hewitt | musician |
| Richard Kuper | Researcher |
| Rinella Cere | Sheffield Hallam University |
| Roger waters | Musician |
| RogerJames Elsgood | Independent producer. |
| Roy Battersby | Director |
| Russell Honeyman | MA Fine Art 2019 |
| Ruth ABOU RACHED | University of Cambridge (alumni) |
| S. Sayyid | Professor, |
| Sadia Habib | Independent Researcher |
| Sadia Zulfiqar | Academic/ LCWU, LUMS, Lahore, Pakistan |
| Saeed Taji Farouky | director cinematographer |
| Samir Bhamra | Creative Director of UK Asian Film Festival |
| Samir Eskanda | Musician |
| Sara Haq | Artist |
| Sarah Beddington | Artist and filmmaker |
| Sarah Crafter | The Open University |
| Sarah Griffin | Free lance illustrator |
| Sarita Malik | Professor of Media, and Creative Interruptions Principal Investigator, Brunel University London |
| Scott Massie | Liverpool Hope University |
| Serena Spadoni | Teacher |
| Shahd Abusalama | Dancer and researcher at Sheffield Hallam University |
| Shirin Housee | University of Wolverhampton |
| Sita Brand | Producer and Storyteller |
| Sophia Brown | Birkbeck, University of London |
| Stephania Goswami | Artist |
| Steven Rose | Emeritus professor, The Open University |
| Susan Trangmar | Reader in Fine Art UAL |
| Sylvia Ferreira | Dance artist |
| Taghrid Choucair Vizoso | Artist & Producer |
| Tahra Anitya | Activist, writer, actor |
| Tanzil Chowdhury | Lecturer in Public Law, Queen Mary, University of London |
| Tarek Younis | Psychologist |
| Tariq Mehmood | Writer/Asst Professor |
| Terry Meade | Principal Lecturer University of Brighton |
| Tim Allen | Animator |
| Tim Garratt | Musician |
| Tina Gharavi | Filmmaker, Academic Newcastle University |
| Tom Hickey | Principal Lecturer in Philosophy and Aesthetics, University of Brighton |
| Tony Erizia | Musician, band leader |
| Tracy Ramsey | University Tutor |
| Uriel Orlow | University of Westminster, London |
| Virinder S Kalra | University of Warwick |
| Virpi Kettu | Media, teacher |
| Virtual Migrants Association | Artists’ Collective |
| Yasmin Khan | Youth worker |
| Yasmin Wilde | Actress |
Artists for Palestine UK 