“The Old Print Works is committed to providing a safe civic space where topics of interest to our local community can be respectfully discussed.
"With the safety of our community in mind, we aim to put measures in place so that we can continue to host events, including those that provide a platform for under-represented voices.”
An Instagram post from The Old Print Works in Birmingham[Missing Credit]
Welcoming the cancellation of the event, Birmingham City Council Leader Cllr John Cotton said: “Any event or group that seeks to divide our communities and stoke division, this group is not welcome in Birmingham.”
The venue, which normally hosts family-friendly, community-focused activities, such as arts and crafts workshops and meditation sessions, reportedly received hundreds of complaints from members of the public opposing its decision to host the anti-Israel event on Sunday.
[Missing Credit]Material advertising the launch of the 'Anti Zionist Movement' event at The Old Print Works, Birmingham (Credit: Anti Zionist Movement/Instagram)
One of the day’s scheduled speakers, Press TV’s Latifa Abouchakra, said the event has been cancelled “because the Zionist lobby and it’s (sic) footmen have made anti-genocide an unsafe position to have and talk about in Birmingham”.
“But we’re Palestinians, we’re used to fighting Jewish supremacists. A new venue is being arranged. Brb (be right back),” she added.
[Missing Credit]Social media post from Latifa Abouchakra in response to the cancellation of the 'Anti Zionist Movement' launch event (Credit: Latifa Abouchakra/X)
A demonstration was being organised to take place outside the venue by Our Fight and Stop The Hate UK and other groups.
Mark Birbeck, director of Our Fight, told the JC: “Just because we are committed to free speech doesn't mean that we aren't entitled to draw the venue and the public's attention to the bigotry that the Anti-Zionist Movement is promoting.
"Their event announcement called on anyone who supports 'armed resistance' and oppose 'Jewish supremacy' to attend. We have seen on Bondi Beach and outside Manchester Synagogue what this means. They are calling for — and trying to justify — the use of the most extreme measures against Jews and anyone who stands with them.”
And Itai Galmudy, founder of Stop the Hate, added: “We believe that most British people, of whatever faith, will see the launch of such an extreme organisation as a sign of growing blatant and unapologetic antisemitism.
"We are pleased that so many people joined in the letter-writing campaign organised by Action on Antisemitism and answered the call to march from Our Fight and Stop the Hate.”
