German Foundation Rescinds Architecture Award for Writer Who Signed Israel Boycott Letter

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BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK - DECEMBER 23: Evolution of Cherub Wall by Banksy is pictured on Israeli separation wall on December 23, 2023 in Bethlehem, West Bank. Last month, Christian Palestinian leaders here called off public Christmas celebrations, citing the effects of the ongoing war in Gaza. Regarded by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem is usually bustling with foreign tourists this time of year, with streets full of holiday decoration and vendors selling ornaments and festive figurines. Israel
BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK – DECEMBER 23: Evolution of Cherub Wall by Banksy is pictured on Israeli separation wall on December 23, 2023 in Bethlehem, West Bank. Last month, Christian Palestinian leaders here called off public Christmas celebrations, citing the effects of the ongoing war in Gaza. Regarded by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem is usually bustling with foreign tourists this time of year, with streets full of holiday decoration and vendors selling ornaments and festive figurines. Israel’s war against Hamas that was sparked by the Oct. 7 attacks has also made life more volatile in the West Bank. Israeli forces here have stepped up raids on alleged militants, police have clashed with protesters, and there has been a rise in violent attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images) Getty Images

The Schelling Architecture Foundation, a German organization that recognizes artists and writers for their contributions to architectural theory, has rescinded a prize awarded to British artist and writer James Bridle over the signing of an open letter pledging to boycott Israeli cultural institutions. The award included a cash prize of €10,000 (roughly $10,600).

Bridle, an Athens-based artist who uses they/them pronouns, was announced in June as the recipient of the foundation’s biannual prize in honor of their “outstanding contributions to architectural theory”. However on Sunday, ahead of the award ceremony on Wednesday, Bridle was informed in an email from the foundation’s committee had unanimously decided to rescind the prize because Bridle was among the thousands of signatories of a letter published in October 2024 by the literary New York-based outlet LitHub, that called for the boycott of Israeli cultural institutions that “are complicit or have remained silent observers of the overwhelming oppression of Palestinians,” per the letter.

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In a statement, the foundation said Bridle’s participation in the boycott was “in direct contradiction” to actions that should be taken with “awareness of Germany’s national history”. Earlier this month, the German Bundestag adopted a controversial resolution to curb antisemitism, despite opposition from Jewish intellectuals and international NGOs, including Amnesty International, who warn of its potential to suppress legitimate criticism of the Israeli government. The resolution specifically targets “organizations or projects” that “spread antisemitism, question Israel’s right to exist, call for a boycott of Israel or actively support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement receive financial support.” The resolution is not legally bonding, and can be applied at the discretion of German cultural organizations.

On Tuesday, Bridle penned a response to the foundation’s decision in an article for ArtReview. “I don’t believe the onus should be on artists to act better and more ethically than the well-funded institutions and organizations they depend upon,” they wrote. “It is the duty of those institutions to act ethically – and actually to be aware of the work of those they offer funding to. However, the practical limitations of such a requirement have been made abundantly clear.”

Bridle, whose winning book Ways of Being contains descriptions of Israel’s separation wall in the West Bank, continued that, for him, it “is impossible to separate causes and politics” in the way sought by the Schelling Foundation.

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