The Glasgow Film Theatre Trustees have rejected the endorsement of BDS and the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI),  and will decide on ethical programming and purchasing on a case-by-case basis.

UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) had reported the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT), which is a charity, to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), which regulates Scottish charities, as a result of its announcement that it would be boycotting Coca Cola products, and had removed them from the theatre during the Glasgow Film Festival.  There had been a boycott by the GFT’s front-of-house and cleaning teams on handling any goods targeted by the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement.

The film theatre had upset many of its regular Jewish film goers by its boycott of Coca Cola products earlier this year and by the anti-Israel statements made by some of its staff.

UKLFI had pointed out to the OSCR that the GFT was likely to be acting illegally and going outside its charitable objects by adopting BDS. BDS and PACBI are part of a central Palestinian boycotting organisation whose aim is the destruction of the Jewish State and whose members include the terrorist groups Hamas, PFLP and Islamic Jihad.

The Board of Trustees at GFT issued a statement on 29 May 2025 saying “As an independent charity, trustees are legally required to act in the best interests of the charity, and in line with its charitable objects, which are for Glasgow Film, principally to educate the public about film. To meet this obligation, we believe that all decisions, including those relating to ethical purchasing and programming, should be taken independently, and on a case-by-case basis, informed by robust internal policies and processes.”

“…..Following a period of careful reflection, legal advice, and consultation with staff and community stakeholders, we consider the above approach to be in line with our legal duties as charity trustees and in the best interests of the charity, as opposed to formal and wholesale endorsement of BDS or PACBI.”

Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI commented: “We are pleased that the Trustees of GFT have decided to reject the endorsement of BDS and PACBI.  It is good news that the GFT is now considering ethical and inclusive programming and purchasing.  We  hope that their inclusive programming will also include Israeli films.”