NEXT Arts Festival

With this message displayed on the facades of many Flemish cultural centres, the sector is calling on the Belgian government to adopt a much more decisive policy against Israel’s flagrant violation of human rights in Gaza and the West Bank.

With this message on the facades of many Flemish cultural houses, the sector is calling on the Belgian government for a much more decisive policy against Israel’s flagrant violation of human rights in Gaza and the West Bank.

At arts centre BUDA/NEXT festival, too, this message can be read on various channels as well as on the facade of Budascoop. In doing so, BUDA/NEXT actively supports the call for an end to inhumanity. BUDA/NEXT also decided not to enter into collaborations with Israeli partners unless it’s clear that they distance themselves from the Israeli government’s human rights-violating policies. Our procurement policy will also be adjusted; companies that violate human rights or develop activities in occupied territories will be avoided as suppliers.

In addition, we are mobilising as much as possible for demonstrations, among others the protest organised by the Belgian ngo 11.11.11 on June 15 in Brussels.

We call on the Belgian government:

to work towards an immediate ceasefire and Israel’s withdrawal from the illegally occupied territories,
to enable massive humanitarian aid for Gaza,
to safeguard financial support for UNWRA,
to impose national and European economic sanctions against Israel,
to suspend the EU Association Agreement with Israel,
to stop importing products from the occupied territories,
to bring war criminals to justice before the International Criminal Court,
to recognise the Palestinian State.

We call on the Flemish Minister of Culture and the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs to support the cultural sector in this position and to defend the sector in the international forum if it is sanctioned (cancelled) because of this position.

Make yourself heard!

In July, kunstencentrum BUDA will screen the documentary The Bibi Files, a shocking portrait of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s corrupt political policies. On Wednesday 2 July with after-talk by Ludo De Brabander, peace activist and spokesperson for Vrede vzw.

Join us in drawing the red line for Gaza. On Sunday 15 June, we will draw the red line in Brussels. Because all the red lines in Gaza have long been crossed.

Since 1948, all countries have been obliged under international law to help prevent or stop alleged genocide. This includes Belgium.