Dawn Butler pulls out of Hay Festival for supporting sponsor’s profits from ‘Israel’s genocide’

Labor MP Dawn Butler has been accused of “ridiculous posts” after she announced she was joining a group of authors in pulling out of the Hay Festival over claims her sponsor Baillie Gifford is profiting from “Israeli occupation, apartheid and genocide”.

The MP for Brent Central issued a statement saying she “cannot in good conscience attend this festival”, where she was scheduled to speak about her book A Purposeful Life (Torva).

In her statement, Butler referred to claims made by the Fossil Free Books group which suggested investment firm Baillie Gifford had “invested up to £10 billion in companies with direct or indirect links to the defense of Israel”.

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The MP said she believes Israel has “the right to defend itself” but has become “disgusted by the events in Gaza” and therefore supports calls to boycott the famous festival.

A senior communal source told the Jewish News that he thought Butler’s action amounted to little more than “ridiculous posturing” on her part.

Hay Festival

Butler’s actions also come amid growing concerns about the continued influence of the hard-left Momentum group in Brent Labour. A number of promotions for Momentum-related individuals are to be confirmed by Brent Labor this week.

Butler’s decision to pull out of the Hay Festival was immediately praised by Cllr Ihtesham Malik Afazal, Brent Labor councilor for Wembley Hill, who posted on X: “This is what a real politician looks like! On principles and justice.”

In her statement, Butler said: “I was shocked and disgusted by the events in Gaza. With over 35,000 Palestinians now killed by the IDF – most of them women and children – and Gaza on the brink of man-made famine, I cannot in good conscience attend this festival. I repeat my call for an immediate ceasefire on both sides. The thing about principles is that they don’t mean anything unless you’re prepared to sacrifice something.”

Responding to Fossil Free Books’ statement, Baillie Gifford said the claim that it profits from “Israeli occupation, apartheid and genocide” is “seriously misleading”.

Hay Festival global chief executive Julie Finch said: “We have requested further information from Baillie Gifford and continue to work to protect our events as free and respectful platforms for the exchange of ideas.”

At X, Booker 2023 shortlisted author Sarah Bernstein said: “I support Dawn Butler’s principled decision to withdraw from Hay as a legitimate form of protest aimed at drawing attention to Baillie Gifford’s interests in fossil fuels and Israeli cyber security firms. I also support her call for Baillie Gifford to divest from these companies.”

Hay Festival global chief executive Finch added: “We remain committed to reaching the widest possible audience with our work and bringing unique events to the heart of rural Wales next week.”

Meanwhile, Brent Labor is expected to confirm this week that group leader Stephen Crabb has been replaced by Cllr Iman Ahmadi Moghaddam.

Crabb previously raised concerns with regional chiefs about a BDS motion circulated within the Momentum Activist Group, which was eventually withdrawn by leader Muhammed Butt.

Momentum backer Cllr Jake Rubin has been appointed as lead cabinet member for jobs, innovation and climate action.

Jewish News understands that the recent results of the London mayoral election have led to concerns being raised about Labour’s performance in the Brent and Harrow region.

While Sadiq Khan performed well in other seats, including Barnet and Camden, Brent and Harrow, the Tories fared better than expected.

There was evidence of support for Susan Hall in Harrow, while in Brent turnout was lower than in many parts of the capital.