The Tricycle Theater in London and the UK Jewish Film Festival have resolved their dispute over funding and the conflict in Gaza that led to the festival’s not being held at that theater this year, according to a joint statement posted on the festival’s website. The theater and the festival, the statement said, have had lengthy discussions and have “agreed to work together to rebuild their relationship.” But the 2014 festival, to be held in November, will not take place at the Tricycle.
The differences arose early this month, when the theater asked the festival to forgo a grant from the Israeli embassy in London on the grounds that, in the theater’s view, presenting a festival with government support from either side of the conflict would be inappropriate. The theater also offered to find an alternate source for the embassy funding, which The Guardian reported was a modest 1,400 pounds (over $2,300), but the festival refused, arguing that it had consistently presented a variety of viewpoints about the Middle East conflict and that the Israeli government had supported its right to do so.
“Following lengthy discussions between the Tricycle and the U.K.J.F.F.,” the joint statement said, “the Tricycle has now withdrawn its objection and invited back the UK Jewish Film Festival on the same terms as in previous years, with no restrictions on funding from the Embassy of Israel in London.”
The organizations also presented their resolution as a model, of sorts.
“We both profoundly hope,” the statement continued, “that those who take different views on the events of the last few weeks will follow our lead and come together to acknowledge that dialogue, reconciliation and engagement will resolve points of difference and ensure that cultural diversity thrives in all communities.”