MORE than 550 artists, art workers, cultural organisations and audiences have called on the Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) to stand in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza by cutting its ties to investment firm Baillie Gifford.

The Edinburgh-based company manages more than £200 billion in assets around the globe, including in companies such as arms firm Babcock International — with Baillie Gifford cited as a top contributor to its profits due to the spiralling demand for its weapons systems.

Branding the ongoing relationship “indefensible,” Arts Workers for Palestine Scotland has now written to the festival’s bosses demanding it sever ties with Baillie Gifford and “commit to refusing funding from institutions profiting from arms, fossil fuels and genocide,” stating: “This is profit from genocide, redirected into UK cultural institutions like EIF.

“Other major cultural organisations in Edinburgh have already cut ties with Baillie Gifford, including the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Fruitmarket, Collective and Stills. EIF remains steps behind, insisting on silence while profiting from death.

“Let this be the moment EIF chooses justice over reputation, integrity over comfort and solidarity over silence.”

An EIF spokesperson responded: “We share deep public concern about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

“Our 2025 programme presented 2,000 artists from around the world, including Palestinian voices, who tackle many pressing global subjects head on.

“We appreciate that views on arts funding are deeply felt. However, targeting arts organisations threatens our ability to function and ultimately reduces the very spaces where difficult conversations, human stories and critical ideas can be explored. 

“Support from long-standing donors such as Baillie Gifford enables us to sustain our artistic ambition, remain accessible to the widest possible audience and contribute meaningfully to international dialogue as well as Scotland’s cultural landscape.”