The letter expresses the dissent from TIFF's decision to host a celebratory spotlight on Tel Aviv amidst the suffering of former residents and descendants of the Tel Aviv/Jaffa area and the increasingly intensified Israeli-Arab conflict in the region. The letter protests that TIFF, whether intentionally or not, has become complicit with Brand Israel, which aims to shift the focus from Israel's treatment of Palestinians and its aggressive wars to its achievements in medicine, science and culture. Many notable cultural figures endorse the letter, including Noam Chomsky, Guy Maddin, Julie Christie, Ken Loach, Slavoj Zizek. A complete list of signatories can be found at the Toronto Declaration website.

*Articles on the 'boycotts vs. censorship' debate surrounding John Greyson's withdrawal of Covered from TIFF in protest against its inaugural City-to-City Spotlight on Tel Aviv are catalogued into item_codes from 2009.055 to 2009.067