Commitment to the BDS Campaign at Kunstnernes Hus

In alignment with the guidelines set by the international nonviolent BDS movement, Kunstnernes Hus commits to a cultural boycott of apartheid Israel, recognising the power of cultural work in shaping societal values and its potential to enable support or challenge systemic injustices. Our institution will take the following actions:

• Refusing Ceasing International Projects Partnerships with State-Sponsored Israeli Artists: We will not collaborate with Israeli artists on international projects that receive direct or indirect funding from the Israeli state, lobby groups or institutions complicit in sustaining Israel’s regime of oppression the occupation. Israeli state-funded cultural products are not automatically boycotted, however, unless political conditions are attached to the funding.

• Disassociation from Complicit Cultural Institutions: We will disengage from Israeli cultural institutions that are complicit in perpetuating the state’s violations of international law and Palestinian rights unless they take a clear, public stand against genocide and apartheid the occupation and uphold the comprehensive Palestinian rights of the Palestinian people as defined by international law, including the right of return of Palestinian refugees.

• Exclusion from Events Funded by complicit Israeli State Entities: We will abstain from participating in or endorsing events that are financially supported by the Israeli government, lobby groups or organisations identified as complicit.

• Refusal of Normalisation Initiatives: We will not partake in events that promote a “both-sides” approach or otherwise present unethical balanced narratives between Palestinians/Arabs and Israelis, unless these events are framed within a context of “co-resistance” to Israel’s regime of military the Israeli occupation and apartheid, rather than “co-existence” under this regime. Participation will only be considered if Israeli partners acknowledge full Palestinian rights and adhere to international law.

• No Platforming of Suspected War Criminals: We will not programme events with Israeli artists that are reasonably suspected of participating in or inciting to genocide, or of living on illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, following investigations, in line with Amnesty International’s December 2024 call.

Kunstnernes Hus recognises the importance of strategic boycotts as a tool to exert moral and economic pressure and signal disapproval of complicity in human rights abuses. Following the directives of the BDS movement, we commit to the following actions:

• Ending Use of HP Products: We will phase out and, stop new procurement, of HP (Hewlett-Packard) products.

• Halting Engagement with Complicit Companies: We will suspend purchasing and/or contracting with consumer brands that facilitate or profit from Israel’s apartheid, occupation and violations of Palestinian rights (unless no reasonable alternatives exist). This includes, but is not limited to:

◦ AirBnB, Booking.com, Expedia, Caterpillar (CAT), McDonald’s, Volvo, Coke, Domino’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Burger King, and Wix.

• Aligning Procurement Policies: All future institutional procurement processes will be reviewed to ensure they align with ethical guidelines consistent with the BDS movement’s principles.

Kunstnernes Hus will join the campaign to establish Apartheid-Free Zones as part of our commitment to solidarity, social justice, and the collective struggle for freedom. We will:

• Publicly Endorse the Apartheid-Free Zone Movement: Support this initiative by advocating for policies and practices that reject apartheid and uphold human rights.

• Boycott Israeli Products and Institutions: Refuse engagement with Israeli products and institutions directly linked to or benefiting from human rights abuses.

• Reject Complicit International Companies: Avoid partnerships or agreements with companies profiting from Israeli state policies that violate international law and human rights.

This pledge is designed to consolidate efforts with other institutions and organisations, enhancing collective action that pressures Israel to adhere to international law and fulfil the following core demands as set forth by the BDS movement:

1. Ending the Occupation: An end to Israel’s occupation and colonisation of all Arab lands, including dismantling the apartheid wall.

2. Ensuring Equality: Recognising and promoting full rights and equality for Palestinian citizens within present-day Israel.

3. Supporting the Right of Return: Upholding the right of return for Palestinian refugees as enshrined in United Nations Resolution 194.

By aligning with these measures, Kunstnernes Hus aims to contribute to a global movement that holds institutions accountable, amplifies the voices of oppressed communities, and supports the struggle for justice and self-determination.