Praxis: The Artists’ Union of Ireland is an Apartheid-Free Zone!
In alignment with the union’s objectives to fight for a progressive and just society, and to build an arts community based on solidarity, Praxis: The Artist’s Union of Ireland commits to support the political, civil and human rights of all Palestinians, and shall strive to work as a Union for their national and democratic rights including the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees and their descendants.
At Praxis’ Annual General Meeting in May 2024 our members unanimously voted to make Praxis: The Artists’ Union of Ireland an Apartheid-Free Zone. In so doing, we commit to support the principles of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement within the Union by boycotting Israeli products and companies, boycotting international companies that profit from Israeli human rights abuses, and boycotting Israeli academic and cultural institutions.
Consumer Boycott:
Praxis: The Artists’ Union of Ireland commits to boycott brands and companies which the Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign has identified as complicit in violations of Palestinian rights. While this list includes consumer products such as food, and pharmaceutical products that we encourage boycotting, the following brands, products and services may be particularly relevant for artists and arts organisations to avoid. We call on arts organisations and artists to join us in boycotting:
- HP/Hewlett Packard (Technology, including computers, printers and computer accessories).
- AXA (Insurance)
- Wix.com (Website hosting)
- DeviantArt (Digital art platform)
- Fiverr (Online work marketplace)
- Waves (Audio plugins)
- Siemens (Technology, including home appliances)
- Caterpillar (Heavy machinery, workwear).
This list is non-exhaustive and we encourage our members, as well as other artists and arts organisations to boycott the Israeli goods and services that are relevant to their own lives and workplaces.
Cultural Boycott:
At our AGM in May 2024, Praxis pledged to support the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) as a Union by boycotting Israeli academic and cultural institutions. In so doing, we acknowledge the PACBI statement that “Israel overtly uses culture as a form of propaganda to whitewash or justify its regime of occupation, settler-colonialism and apartheid over the Palestinian people.” Praxis urges Irish artists, arts workers and cultural organisations, to join us in boycotting and/or working towards the cancellation of cultural events, activities, agreements, or projects involving Israel, its lobby groups or its cultural institutions.
