A SCOTTISH theatre has apologised to a pro-Palestine group after it cancelled a show with just three days’ notice.
Eastgate Theatre in Peebles told ticket holders the show Land & Resistance – which was set to platform several Palestinians – had been called off at the last minute because of a “serious complaint”.
In an email seen by The National, theatre bosses said the complaint concerned “a prominent individual within the national organisation” but they did not specify any further.
The show was being funded and facilitated by the Borders branch of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC), which said it was “blindsided” by the decision.
The theatre has now apologised to the group saying it was “wrong” to call off the show.
SPSC told The National the parties had come to a “satisfactory settlement” and thanked the local community for supporting them in the dispute.
In the original email, Eastgate Theatre said following research it was determined “that certain connections and values associated with key individuals involved in the national organisation conflict with our core principles of respect, equality, and inclusion”.
However, the organisation apologised for this saying they “acknowledge that their [SPSC] solidarity with Palestinians is not in conflict with our values”.
“We made this decision in reaction to information that we had available to us at the time, but which we now accept was wrong.
“We understand the impact this has had on certain communities and groups, and we apologise for the distress and inconvenience caused to the artists, organisers, ticket holders, those members of the public who may have attended the event, and the Eastgate staff team.
“We also extend this apology to the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign and its members, and acknowledge that their solidarity with Palestinians is not in conflict with our values of inclusion, respect and equality.
“We are committed to supporting diverse voices in our community, and we acknowledge that there are valuable lessons to be learned from the way this situation was handled.”
The theatre added it is “committed to using this experience” to inform a review of its policies and procedures to ensure “such a situation does not occur again”.
Several theatre board members have met with members of the SPSC branch over the past weeks as part of this effort.
“We offer our apologies and wish to emphasise our commitment to growth, transparency, and meaningful dialogue moving forward,” the theatre added.
The show was due to feature the work of photographer Mohamed Zwahra, the poetry of Salsabil El Awaisi and a discussion led by Edinburgh University lecturer Dr Kholoud Al Ajarma. It was set to finish with a screening of Canadian documentary My Tree.
The show still went ahead in a condensed format outside the theatre on the day “bringing attention to attempts to cancel Palestinian voices”.
Kimberley Davidson, of Borders SPSC, said: “We were able to reach a satisfactory settlement with the Eastgate theatre following their apology regarding the cancellation of the Land and Resistance event.
“We as the Borders branch of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, will continue to build effective solidarity with Palestinians, including facilitating opportunities for their voices to be heard in Scotland.
“We appreciate the support we've had from the local community and those across Scotland in the arts sector since the Land and Resistance event was cancelled.
“We are pleased to be able to return to the important work of campaigning for Palestinian liberation.”
