Folk music legend Pete Seeger joins boycott.
February 28, 2011- Folk music legend Pete Seeger has come out in support of the growing Palestinian movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel as a program for justice for Palestinians and a route to peace in the Middle East.
Seeger, 92, participated in last November’s online virtual rally “With Earth and Each Other,” sponsored by the Arava Institute, an Israeli environmental organization, and by the Friends of the Arava Institute. The Arava Institute counts among its close partners and majorfunders the Jewish National Fund, responsible since 1901 for securing land in Palestine for the use of Jews only while dispossessing Palestinians. Although groups in the worldwide BDS movement had requested he quit the event, Seeger felt that he could make a strong statement for peace and justice during the event.
During a January meeting at his Beacon, NY home with representatives from the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) and Adalah-NY, Pete Seeger explained, “I appeared on that virtual rally because for many years I’ve felt that people should talk with people they disagree with. But it ended up looking like I supported the Jewish National Fund. I misunderstood the leaders of the Arava Institute because I didn't realize to what degree the Jewish National Fund was supporting Arava. Now that I know more, I support the BDS movement as much as I can.”
Jeff Halper, the Coordinator of ICAHD, added, “Pete did extensive research on this. He read historical and current material and spoke to neighbors, friends, and three rabbis before making his decision to support the boycott movement against Israel.” Seeger has for some time given some of the royalties from his famous Bible-based song from the 1960s, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” to ICAHD for their work in rebuilding demolished homes and exposing Israel’s practice of pushing Palestinians in Israel off their land in favor of development of Jewish villages and cities.
The November virtual rally “With Earth and Each Other” was billed as an apolitical effort to bring Israelis and Palestinians together to work for the environment. Dave Lippman from Adalah-NY noted, “Arava’s online event obfuscated basic facts about Israel’s occupation and systematic seizure of land and water from Palestinians. Arava’s partner and funder, the JNF, is notorious for planting forests to hide Palestinian villages demolished by Israel in order to seize their land. Arava was revealed as a sterling practitioner of Israeli government efforts to 'Rebrand Israel' through greenwashing and the arts.”
Currently, the JNF is supporting an Israeli government effort to demolish the Bedouin village of Al-Araqib in order to plant trees from the JNF that were paid for by the international evangelical group GOD-TV. The Friends of the Arava Institute’s new board chair has recently published an op-ed in the Jerusalem Post that only cautiously questions some activities of the JNF, an organization whose very raison-d'etre is to take over land for Jews at the expense of the Palestinian Arab population.
Pete Seeger’s long-time colleague Theodore Bikel, an Israeli-American known for his life-long involvement with Israeli culture, recently supported the Israeli artists who have refused to perform in a new concert hall in Ariel, a large illegal Israeli settlement in the West Bank.
Seeger joins a growing roster of international performers who have declined to whitewash, greenwash, or in any way enable Israel’s colonial project, including Elvis Costello, Gil Scott-Heron, Roger Waters, Devendra Banhart, and the Pixies.
Seeger, 92, participated in last November’s online virtual rally “With Earth and Each Other,” sponsored by the Arava Institute, an Israeli environmental organization, and by the Friends of the Arava Institute. The Arava Institute counts among its close partners and majorfunders the Jewish National Fund, responsible since 1901 for securing land in Palestine for the use of Jews only while dispossessing Palestinians. Although groups in the worldwide BDS movement had requested he quit the event, Seeger felt that he could make a strong statement for peace and justice during the event.
During a January meeting at his Beacon, NY home with representatives from the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) and Adalah-NY, Pete Seeger explained, “I appeared on that virtual rally because for many years I’ve felt that people should talk with people they disagree with. But it ended up looking like I supported the Jewish National Fund. I misunderstood the leaders of the Arava Institute because I didn't realize to what degree the Jewish National Fund was supporting Arava. Now that I know more, I support the BDS movement as much as I can.”
Jeff Halper, the Coordinator of ICAHD, added, “Pete did extensive research on this. He read historical and current material and spoke to neighbors, friends, and three rabbis before making his decision to support the boycott movement against Israel.” Seeger has for some time given some of the royalties from his famous Bible-based song from the 1960s, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” to ICAHD for their work in rebuilding demolished homes and exposing Israel’s practice of pushing Palestinians in Israel off their land in favor of development of Jewish villages and cities.
The November virtual rally “With Earth and Each Other” was billed as an apolitical effort to bring Israelis and Palestinians together to work for the environment. Dave Lippman from Adalah-NY noted, “Arava’s online event obfuscated basic facts about Israel’s occupation and systematic seizure of land and water from Palestinians. Arava’s partner and funder, the JNF, is notorious for planting forests to hide Palestinian villages demolished by Israel in order to seize their land. Arava was revealed as a sterling practitioner of Israeli government efforts to 'Rebrand Israel' through greenwashing and the arts.”
Currently, the JNF is supporting an Israeli government effort to demolish the Bedouin village of Al-Araqib in order to plant trees from the JNF that were paid for by the international evangelical group GOD-TV. The Friends of the Arava Institute’s new board chair has recently published an op-ed in the Jerusalem Post that only cautiously questions some activities of the JNF, an organization whose very raison-d'etre is to take over land for Jews at the expense of the Palestinian Arab population.
Pete Seeger’s long-time colleague Theodore Bikel, an Israeli-American known for his life-long involvement with Israeli culture, recently supported the Israeli artists who have refused to perform in a new concert hall in Ariel, a large illegal Israeli settlement in the West Bank.
Seeger joins a growing roster of international performers who have declined to whitewash, greenwash, or in any way enable Israel’s colonial project, including Elvis Costello, Gil Scott-Heron, Roger Waters, Devendra Banhart, and the Pixies.
Tindersticks join boycott
UK based band the Tindersticks issued the following statement:
It is with sadness that tindersticks announce the cancellation of their forthcoming concerts in Tel Aviv.
When agreeing to play our music in Israel we, perhaps naively, believed that the music we make is beyond political considerations. Over the past weeks, the pressure exerted on us by people and organisations, some close to us, has shown us that this is not the case. It is difficult to defy a rapidly growing movement with whose aims we agree...
For the full statement visit http://www.tindersticks.co.uk/
It is with sadness that tindersticks announce the cancellation of their forthcoming concerts in Tel Aviv.
When agreeing to play our music in Israel we, perhaps naively, believed that the music we make is beyond political considerations. Over the past weeks, the pressure exerted on us by people and organisations, some close to us, has shown us that this is not the case. It is difficult to defy a rapidly growing movement with whose aims we agree...
For the full statement visit http://www.tindersticks.co.uk/
Tutu calls for SA opera company to join boycott.
Archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu has urged a South African opera company to boycott Israel, comparing its treatment of Palestinians to his own country's era of racial apartheid. The Nobel peace prize laureate said that it would be "unconscionable" for Cape Town Opera to perform in Israel while millions of people living there are denied access to culture and education. (the Guardian)
Massive Attack join boycott.
Massive Attack's Robert del Naja said about the boycott:
"I've always felt that it's the only way forward, It's a system that's been applied to many countries. It's a good thing to aim for because it applies the continual pressure that's needed."
"I definitely think musicians have a major role to play," says del Naja. "I find the more I get involved, the more the movement becomes something tangible. I remember going to 'Artists against Apartheid' punk gigs, and 'Rock against Racism' gigs around the same sort of time. Bands like the Clash and the Specials had a lot to say and a lot to do with influencing the minds of the youth in those days.
We were asked to play Israel and we refused. The question was asked: 'If you don't play there, how can you go there and change things?' I said: 'Listen, I can't play in Israel when the Palestinians have no access to the same fundamental benefits that the Israelis do.' I think the best approach is to boycott a government which seems hell-bent on very destructive policies. And it's sad because we've met some great people in Israel and, you know, it's a difficult decision to have to make."
"We are not going to achieve a quick liberation," del Naja acknowledges, but says the point is to apply "pressure, the continual pressure that's needed. [The boycott] is not an action of aggression towards the Israeli people. It's towards the government and their policies. Everyone needs to be reminded of this because it's very easy to be accused of being anti-Semitic, and that's not what this is about." (from an interview with William Parry).
"I've always felt that it's the only way forward, It's a system that's been applied to many countries. It's a good thing to aim for because it applies the continual pressure that's needed."
"I definitely think musicians have a major role to play," says del Naja. "I find the more I get involved, the more the movement becomes something tangible. I remember going to 'Artists against Apartheid' punk gigs, and 'Rock against Racism' gigs around the same sort of time. Bands like the Clash and the Specials had a lot to say and a lot to do with influencing the minds of the youth in those days.
We were asked to play Israel and we refused. The question was asked: 'If you don't play there, how can you go there and change things?' I said: 'Listen, I can't play in Israel when the Palestinians have no access to the same fundamental benefits that the Israelis do.' I think the best approach is to boycott a government which seems hell-bent on very destructive policies. And it's sad because we've met some great people in Israel and, you know, it's a difficult decision to have to make."
"We are not going to achieve a quick liberation," del Naja acknowledges, but says the point is to apply "pressure, the continual pressure that's needed. [The boycott] is not an action of aggression towards the Israeli people. It's towards the government and their policies. Everyone needs to be reminded of this because it's very easy to be accused of being anti-Semitic, and that's not what this is about." (from an interview with William Parry).
Over 140 Irish artists join boycott.
In August 2010 the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) launched the following pledge, initially signed by over 140 Irish creative and performing artists, whereby they undertake to boycott the Israeli state under present circumstances:"In response to the call from Palestinian civil society for a cultural boycott of Israel, we pledge not to avail of any invitation to perform or exhibit in Israel, nor to accept any funding from any institution linked to the government of Israel, until such time as Israel complies with international law and universal principles of human rights." - See the full list ofsignatories here.
Described by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) as "a ground-breaking initiative", this pledge has so far been signed by over 140 Irish creative and performing artists: novelists, playwrights, poets, actors, composers, singers, dancers, painters, sculptors and filmmakers, ranging from those starting out on their careers to household names. - See here for the full PACBI statement of endorsement.
Described by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) as "a ground-breaking initiative", this pledge has so far been signed by over 140 Irish creative and performing artists: novelists, playwrights, poets, actors, composers, singers, dancers, painters, sculptors and filmmakers, ranging from those starting out on their careers to household names. - See here for the full PACBI statement of endorsement.
Faithless join boycott.
UK dance group Faithless join the growing list of artists choosing to boycott Israel in protest against the escalation of violence against Palestinians and their supporters. Frontman Maxi Jazz issued the following statement:
All Races All Colours All Creeds Got The Same Needs.
Hi, this is Maxi Jazz and these are just some of the lyrics I perform every night with my friends known as Faithless. And this short note is for all fans and family of the band in Israel. It's fair to say that for 14 years we've been promoting goodwill, trust and harmony all around the world in our own small (but very loud!) way. Ok. We've been asked to do some shows this summer in your country and, with the heaviest of hearts, I have regretfully declined the invitation. While human beings are being wilfully denied not just their rights but their NEEDS for their children and grandparents and themselves, I feel deeply that I should not be sending even tacit signals that this is either 'normal' or 'ok'. It's neither and I cannot support it. It grieves me that it has come to this and I pray everyday for human beings to begin caring for each other, firm in the wisdom that we are all we have.
We Come 1
maxi
All Races All Colours All Creeds Got The Same Needs.
Hi, this is Maxi Jazz and these are just some of the lyrics I perform every night with my friends known as Faithless. And this short note is for all fans and family of the band in Israel. It's fair to say that for 14 years we've been promoting goodwill, trust and harmony all around the world in our own small (but very loud!) way. Ok. We've been asked to do some shows this summer in your country and, with the heaviest of hearts, I have regretfully declined the invitation. While human beings are being wilfully denied not just their rights but their NEEDS for their children and grandparents and themselves, I feel deeply that I should not be sending even tacit signals that this is either 'normal' or 'ok'. It's neither and I cannot support it. It grieves me that it has come to this and I pray everyday for human beings to begin caring for each other, firm in the wisdom that we are all we have.
We Come 1
maxi
Open letter to NME.
Wall of Silence, UK rapper Lowkey and Palestinian rapper Boikutt (formerly of the Ramallah Underground) have written the following open letter to the NME in response to the ongoing discussion of the cultural boycott of Israel in the NME letters page:
Political change never takes place as the consequence of a single isolated factor. Apartheid fell in South Africa because of the combined effect of the international boycott, dis-investment and sanctions campaign and resistance from black South Africans themselves – most significantly the wave of strikes they instigated in the 1980's. Strikes are not an option for Palestinians – the majority of whom are completely excluded from the Israeli economy. Therefore the actions taken by those of us outside Israel are all the more critical. Many Israeli music fans will be among the most progressive sections of Israeli society. But gigs do not take place in a political vacuum, and no matter how much we talk about peace from a stage in Tel Aviv, our presence means business as usual in a city carefully branded as a libertarian party city. This image matters to Israel because it helps to distract the world from the immeasurable suffering it has created just 40 miles down the road in Gaza. We cannot be complicit in this crime. It is not often that a cultural boycott is both morally right and has the chance to be politically effective. This is one such occasion.
Wall Of Silence
Lowkey
Boikutt
Political change never takes place as the consequence of a single isolated factor. Apartheid fell in South Africa because of the combined effect of the international boycott, dis-investment and sanctions campaign and resistance from black South Africans themselves – most significantly the wave of strikes they instigated in the 1980's. Strikes are not an option for Palestinians – the majority of whom are completely excluded from the Israeli economy. Therefore the actions taken by those of us outside Israel are all the more critical. Many Israeli music fans will be among the most progressive sections of Israeli society. But gigs do not take place in a political vacuum, and no matter how much we talk about peace from a stage in Tel Aviv, our presence means business as usual in a city carefully branded as a libertarian party city. This image matters to Israel because it helps to distract the world from the immeasurable suffering it has created just 40 miles down the road in Gaza. We cannot be complicit in this crime. It is not often that a cultural boycott is both morally right and has the chance to be politically effective. This is one such occasion.
Wall Of Silence
Lowkey
Boikutt
