FFG supports call on Belgian governments

With this message displayed on the facades of many Flemish cultural centres, the sector is calling on the Belgian government to adopt a much more decisive policy against Israel's flagrant violation of human rights in Gaza and the West Bank.

Also Film Fest Gent stands behind this message and supports the call to stop this inhumanity.

During our festival, we consistently try to provide a platform for films and filmmakers that offer insights. Insights into life under occupation (No Other Land), into the historical roots of the conflict (the work of Michel Khleifi), and the experience of displacement in one of the many refugee camps (The Jacket). Several of Khleifi's films are available to stream online via Avila.

In addition, we are mobilising as much as possible for demonstrations, among others the protest organised by the Belgian ngo 11.11.11 on June 15 in Brussels.

We call on the Belgian government:

• to work towards an immediate ceasefire and Israel's withdrawal from the illegally occupied territories,
• to enable massive humanitarian aid for Gaza,
• to safeguard financial support for UNWRA,
• to impose national and European economic sanctions against Israel,
• to suspend the EU Association Agreement with Israel,
• to stop importing products from the occupied territories,
• to bring war criminals to justice before the International Criminal Court,
• to recognise the Palestinian State.

We call on the Flemish Minister of Culture and the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs to support the cultural sector in this position and to defend the sector in the international forum if it is sanctioned (cancelled) because of this position.