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The University of Manchester has reportedly asked the Director of its Whitworth Gallery to resign for expressing solidarity with Palestine.

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Dear Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of Manchester University, I’m writing to express concern over <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/feb/22/whitworth-gallery-director-alistair-hudson-forced-out-over-palestinian-statement?fbclid=IwAR3gD8P2LYth5KE9QY4b7zCXukz-JEo0Wp55JzPsLRZIKjQvD3Rxp8TPK_s">reports</a> that the University of Manchester has attempted to pressure the director of the Whitworth Art Gallery to resign in connection to a statement of solidarity with the Palestinian people featured in Forensic Architecture’s ‘Cloud Studies’ exhibition from spring/summer 2021. As you’ll recall, at the time of the ‘Cloud Studies’ exhibition, Palestinians were facing intense Israeli military attacks - which destroyed civilian infrastructure, displaced and injured thousands, and left hundreds dead, <a href="https://www.dci-palestine.org/2021_is_deadliest_year_for_palestinian_children_since_2014">including 61 children</a>. Such attacks are part of the ongoing military occupation Palestinians are facing, and constitute one element of the Crime of Apartheid being committed against them - as documented by <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/israels-apartheid-against-palestinians-a-cruel-system-of-domination-and-a-crime-against-humanity/">Amnesty International</a>. While the exhibition covered many topics of relevance to the public, the <a href="https://forensic-architecture.org/programme/news/forensic-architecture-stands-with-palestine-whitworth-exhibition-statement">statement of solidarity</a> was particularly pertinent given the events at the time, and the Whitworth was right to include it. Media reports have indicated that the University’s subsequent pressure on the Whitworth’s director may be in response to complaints from external groups, including UK Lawyers for Israel, which has been proudly public about its representations to the University. It should be noted that UK Lawyers for Israel is a controversial group, widely criticized for <a href="https://www.972mag.com/british-jews-regavim/">hosting</a> far-right Israeli politicians and settler groups who actively advocate war crimes against the Palestinian people. In addition, UKLFI has been demonstrated as an unreliable source: its intervention in trying to demand edits to a Pearson textbook have been <a href="https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220222-new-textbook-to-be-published-without-undue-influence-of-pro-israel-groups/">formally rebuffed</a>, it’s been forced to <a href="https://www.dci-palestine.org/uk_lawyers_for_israel_recants_allegations_of_dcip_material_support_to_terror_group">withdraw</a> defamatory disinformation against a Palestinian children’s rights group, and its many complaints to several UK regulatory bodies (Ofcom, Charity Commission, and the UKNCP) have been <a href="https://elsc.support/news/uk-government-dismisses-latest-attempt-by-lawyersy-uk-lawyers-for-israel-to-harm-palestinian-civil-society">dismissed</a> for a lack of evidence after careful consideration. The University of Manchester should not be responsive to pressure from such groups; it calls into question the University’s ability to safeguard the wellbeing of its Palestinian staff and students, and indeed, the University’s obligation to ensure that the historical facts and current realities be taught about, studied, discussed, and represented in its programmes.  I have seen the <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XbLPVnur0X1JCEYenlIuRKbILuzGU9cGIr_flunr0TM/edit">statement from artists</a> announcing that they will be withdrawing from an upcoming show in protest over the attempt to silence the Palestinian narrative and punish those who express solidarity, as well as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2022/mar/01/manchester-university-staff-sign-letter-alistair-hudson-whitworth-palestine#:~:text=More%20than%20100%20members%20of,and%20artistic%20freedom%20of%20expression.%E2%80%9D">the letters</a> from University of Manchester staff, and the <a href="https://twitter.com/ManchesterPSC/status/1498949541277622272">protests</a> this week. There is immense reputational risk for the University if it is indeed pressing the Whitworth director to resign; but the University should do the right thing, not because of this risk, but rather as a commitment to its responsibilities to uphold freedom of expression, including the right of the Palestinian people to impart information about present and past injustices they have faced, and the right of every British citizen, student of the University, or guest of its institutions to advocate for action in response to those injustices. I urge you to clarify the University’s commitment to freedom of expression and thought, to confirm that no pressure will be placed on the Whitworth director to leave his post, and that no staff or student within the University will in the future face disciplinary action or other pressure for work they have done in support of Palestinian rights, or those who advocate for them.

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