As the Musicians' Union, it is our duty to respond and defend the right of free speech. Image credit: ©Shane Wsilly/IMAGESLIVE via ZUMA Press Wire.
Following an emergency motion which was passed at the Musicians' Union's biennial Delegate Conference in Liverpool on 22-23 July 2025, the MU Executive Committee wishes to release the following statement:
"The Musicians' Union opposes and fully condemns the genocide that is being committed against the Palestinian people.
We call for an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages and for the UK Government to urgently recognise the State of Palestine. We want to see a two-state solution which delivers safety and security for both Palestinian and Israeli people in the region. We also want to see famine averted in Gaza with safe passage for desperately needed aid and provisions."
Protecting free speech and the right to peaceful protest
The emergency motion also covered a recent issue in Scotland, stating:
"On the 24th of June, Art Workers for Palestine Scotland had organised a day of cultural activities as part of a week-long festival which celebrated and exchanged Palestinian culture, including calligraphy, art, music, and discussion. However, this was met with a heavy-handed response from the Centre of Contemporary Art (CCA), and Police Scotland, which saw artists, including a 63-year-old attendee, forcibly removed.
“This latter incident in particular is most troubling, as it is a clear attempt by a state funded body, to crackdown on artistic activity, and on free speech with which it disagrees. As the union which represents musicians it is our duty to respond and defend the right of free speech. Without free speech, we simply cannot work freely."
The following actions are being taken
In accordance with the motion, the following actions are being taken:
- The General Secretary has sent a message of solidarity and unity to Art Workers for Palestine Scotland on behalf of the Union;
- The General Secretary has written to the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Scotland about the incident referred to in the motion and is in dialogue with them;
- The MU will work with creative and other unions across the UK to engage on how workers in the arts can protect their free speech;
- The MU will look into signing the trade union joint statement on defending the right to peaceful protest;
- The MU will support members victimised at work for expressing support for the Palestinian people, or for other political activism, on a case by case basis;
- The MU will campaign to protect musicians' right to free speech, create a guide to help our members defend themselves, and their rights, and explore how this can be included in the advice services provided by the union to members.
- At MU Delegate Conference, we announced the Executive Committee's decision to put hard exclusions in place for investment of MU Funds in weapon manufacture, alcohol and tobacco, fossil fuels and other harmful products and industries.