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Have you been targeted by UK Lawyers for Israel, CAA, or Artists Against Antisemitism UK for supporting Palestine? Congrats, it likely means you're on the right side of history. Instilling fear and freezing organisations is one of their prime objectives. Don't let them. Continue the work, whether through programming or organising. Get educated, build networks of solidarity with other organisations. Don't spread misinformation or assumptions. Be specific and factual with your language. The Charity Commission asking you a series of questions is different from a formal investigation. Check what the outcome has been for others - has the charity commission been consistent? Is the interpretation of political activity correct? Even if it's a formal investigation, no charity has lost its charitable status on the sole basis of taking a stance with Palestine. Below is a topline summary of steps you can take. Full guidance will be shared soon. This index will also be updated with organisations who have been targeted documenting their experience.
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1. Do not reply to them. If they've contacted your funders too, calmly write to the funders/partners they've included in the letter to say that you are prepared to answer any questions the charity commission may have. Let them know this is an ongoing campaign that has targeted tens of other excellent organisations across the UK. Do NOT reply to UKLFI / Artists Against Antisemitism UK. There is simply no point in doing so.
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2. Report the case to ELSC. You may be able to seek pro bono legal advice, or they may suggest law firms to approach. When choosing a lawyer/firm, ensure they don't only understand charity law but have experience defending pro-Palestinian institutions/individuals. Contact the British Palestinian Committee for potential advice.
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3. Go on the learning journey. Do NOT start censoring or canceling events. This is extremely harmful and is exactly what they want you to be doing. There is NO reason for you not to programme Palestinian/Pro-Palestinian work in your venue. There is no reason for you not to commission a Palestinian/Pro-Palestinian artist. And there is no reason for you not to support your Palestinian counterparts by forming partnerships with them, highlighting their work, running fundraisers, etc. Aside from respecting freedom of expression, we all have a duty to stand up in this moment of genocide and multiple 'cides': scholasticide, culturcide, ecocide, and so on.
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4. Think of the bigger picture: yes, this is tough. Yes, it will draw on some of your resources (legal advice fees won't be high and at this point organisations having gone through it may offer their advice), but you will absolutely get through it quickly and you are not being genocided. Your building is standing. Your colleagues and hundreds of your nation's artists haven't been killed in a matter of months. Your loved ones aren't being massacred as they fetch aid. Keep your focus on Gaza.
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5. Start an alliance of organisations who have been through this.
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6. Go on the education journey: understand Britain's colonial role in creating this genocidal apartheid state. Question why cultural institutions have unequivocally stood by other peoples and not Palestinians. Make the connection with past liberation struggles and injustices. Learn about how censoring Palestinians is racist. And so on. Makan offer excellent trainings.
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7. Consider adding to/editing your charitable objectives to minimise/circumvent any future questions from the charity commission around your solidarity with and work for Palestine and other global liberation movements.
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8. Support Palestinian artists and communities, both privately and publically. Support the local artists and culture workers affected by censorship.
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9. Orient to Palestine and free yourself.
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