Watershed's response to The Times
Posted on Fri 8 May
On Thu 7 May, Watershed was approached by The Times about an article on antisemitism in the arts which has been published today.
The email we received mentioned our links to BAFZ, our presentation at Watershed’s Meeting the Moment conference, and how we ensure that Watershed is inclusive. This was our response in full:
Watershed loudly condemns the horrific antisemitic attacks against Jewish people, which go against everything we believe. The British Jewish community is and has been a vital force in the UK’s cultural life for centuries and our country’s culture and arts would be unrecognisable without Jewish artists, actors, directors, writers and musicians.
In September 2025, Watershed signed the Bristol Apartheid Free Zone pledge, which is aligned with our ethical procurement policy and means we boycott Israeli products and produce. Demonstrating concern for the people of Palestine is not antisemitic.
We undertook substantial research on BAFZ and its membership before signing the pledge and used guidance and resources created by Jewish Artists UK on antisemitism and censorship in the arts when making our decision. We have no knowledge of antisemitism being perpetrated by BAFZ and know there to be Jewish members who are organisers in the campaign.
Inclusion is one of Watershed’s most important values and we work closely with artists and audiences from a very wide range of communities and lived experiences to ensure they feel welcome at Watershed. For instance, we explicitly brief chairs of events to ensure hate speech of any kind is not tolerated and is swiftly dealt with - this includes a specific mention of antisemitism.
During Watershed’s Meeting the Moment event in November 2025, our speaker notes evidence that we stated “Listening is as important as speaking up” and then thoroughly explained how Watershed engages with differing viewpoints and complaints. We presented evidence of our transparent complaints system, open public feedback forums and times when we invited in people who disagree with our decision-making for a conversation.
Watershed is very concerned that our Jewish staff members and communities will be deeply harmed by these allegations.