In 2005, Palestinian artists and civil society called for a boycott of the Israeli government due to its appalling disregard of international law and human rights.  Since then, people of conscience worldwide have heeded the call. We, the undersigned, stand in solidarity with Palestinians against the Zionist colonization of Palestine. In addition, we stand against the use of queer identity as a shield with which to deflect criticism of ethnic cleansing and apartheid policies.

The Consulate General of Israel to New England is touted as both a “Community Sponsor” and “Top Supporter” of the Boston LGBT Film Festival. Through this partnership with the Israeli government, the Boston LGBT Film Festival is taking a side in the conflict. Whether intentional or otherwise, the festival’s cooperation with the State of Israel undermines its claim to supporting justice, equality and dignity for all people. Moreover, when the LGBT film festival collaborates with the State of Israel, it lends credibility – in the name of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals – to a government censured worldwide for its nearly 65 years of ongoing colonization and ethnic cleansing of Palestine. The festival’s complicity in the pinkwashing of Israel’s crimes offends our conscience as queers and as human beings.