9 sept 2018
Until Palestinians can enjoy freedom, justice and equal rights, there should be no business-as-usual with the state that is denying them their basic rights.
“On 14 May, days after Israel’s Eurovision win, the Israeli army killed 62 unarmed Palestinian protesters in Gaza, including six children, and injured hundreds, most with live ammunition.
“Amnesty International has condemned Israel’s shoot-to-kill-or-maim policy and Human Rights Watch described the killings as ‘unlawful and calculated’.
“Eurovision 2019 should be boycotted if it is hosted by Israel while it continues its grave, decades-old violations of Palestinian human rights.
“We understand that the European Broadcasting Union is demanding that Israel finds a ‘non-divisive’ location for the 2019 Eurovision.
“It should cancel Israel’s hosting of the contest altogether and move it to another country with a better human rights record.
“Injustice divides, while the pursuit of dignity and human rights unites.”
Other signatories include novelist Yann Martel, actress Julie Christie, writer and director Peter Kosminsky and British band Wolf Alice.
The 2019 competition is due to be held in Israel after the 2018 contest was won by Israel entry Netta, with her song “Toy”.
~Irish TImes/PNN
In related news, WAFA reports that Roger Waters has worked with Palestinian band Trio Joubran on a new a song, in dedication of the four Palestinian boys who were killed while they were playing on the Gaza beach, in 2014.
The song, titled “Carry the Earth”, was written by both the band and the pro-Palestine former Pink Floyd singer, who previously recorded with the band a new song called “Supremacy” rejecting US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Just like their previous song “Supremacy,” which featured a few verses from “The Red Indian’s Penultimate Speech to the White Man,” a poem written by national poet Mahmoud Darwish, the title of “Carry the Earth” was also taken from a Darwish poem.
Roger took it to his social media pages to announce the song.
“Boys…….our boys………..A new collaboration with my friends… Le Trio Joubran… We shall overcome……,” Roger said. “Dedicated to our boys Mohammad Ramiz Bakr, Ahed Atef Bakr, Zakariya Ahed Bakr & Ismail Mahmoud Bakr, who were murdered whilst playing on a Gaza beach, 16th July 2014.”
“Carry the Earth” will be featured on the band’s new upcoming album “The Long March,” out on October 12th on CD, Vinyl and digital download.
“On 14 May, days after Israel’s Eurovision win, the Israeli army killed 62 unarmed Palestinian protesters in Gaza, including six children, and injured hundreds, most with live ammunition.
“Amnesty International has condemned Israel’s shoot-to-kill-or-maim policy and Human Rights Watch described the killings as ‘unlawful and calculated’.
“Eurovision 2019 should be boycotted if it is hosted by Israel while it continues its grave, decades-old violations of Palestinian human rights.
“We understand that the European Broadcasting Union is demanding that Israel finds a ‘non-divisive’ location for the 2019 Eurovision.
“It should cancel Israel’s hosting of the contest altogether and move it to another country with a better human rights record.
“Injustice divides, while the pursuit of dignity and human rights unites.”
Other signatories include novelist Yann Martel, actress Julie Christie, writer and director Peter Kosminsky and British band Wolf Alice.
The 2019 competition is due to be held in Israel after the 2018 contest was won by Israel entry Netta, with her song “Toy”.
~Irish TImes/PNN
In related news, WAFA reports that Roger Waters has worked with Palestinian band Trio Joubran on a new a song, in dedication of the four Palestinian boys who were killed while they were playing on the Gaza beach, in 2014.
The song, titled “Carry the Earth”, was written by both the band and the pro-Palestine former Pink Floyd singer, who previously recorded with the band a new song called “Supremacy” rejecting US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Just like their previous song “Supremacy,” which featured a few verses from “The Red Indian’s Penultimate Speech to the White Man,” a poem written by national poet Mahmoud Darwish, the title of “Carry the Earth” was also taken from a Darwish poem.
Roger took it to his social media pages to announce the song.
“Boys…….our boys………..A new collaboration with my friends… Le Trio Joubran… We shall overcome……,” Roger said. “Dedicated to our boys Mohammad Ramiz Bakr, Ahed Atef Bakr, Zakariya Ahed Bakr & Ismail Mahmoud Bakr, who were murdered whilst playing on a Gaza beach, 16th July 2014.”
“Carry the Earth” will be featured on the band’s new upcoming album “The Long March,” out on October 12th on CD, Vinyl and digital download.
About 140 artists, including musicians, writers, actors, directors, novelists, and poets have signed a letter calling for the boycott of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest, which is scheduled to be held in Israel.
The letter, which was published by The Guardian, was signed by about 140 artists from around the world, including six Israeli artists, demanding the song contest should be boycotted if it is "hosted by Israel while it continues its grave, decades-old violations of Palestinian human rights."
Among those who signed the letter are musicians Roger Waters, Brian Eno, Nosizwe, Bugge Wesseltoft, Lars Klevstrand, Trond Ingebretsen, Jos M rio Branco, Chullage, Dror Feiler, Christy Moore, Charlie McGettigan, Kimmo Pohjonen, Paleface, and actors Candy Bowers, Daan Hugaert, Marijke Pinoy, Chokri Ben Chikha, Tove Bornhoeft, Anne Marie Helger, Tommi Korpela, Krista Kosonen, and novelists Manuela Bosco, G rard Mordillat, Jos Luis Peixoto, Michel B hler, and many others.
The six Israelis who have also signed the letter are Aviad Albert, Michal Sapir, Ohal Grietzer, Yonatan Shapira, Danielle Ravitzki, and David Opp.
The letter supported an appeal from Palestinian artists to boycott Eurovision, stating that "We, the undersigned artists from Europe and beyond, support the heartfelt appeal from Palestinian artists to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 hosted by Israel."
The letter stressed "Until Palestinians can enjoy freedom, justice and equal rights, there should be no business-as-usual with the state that is denying them their basic rights."
"On 14 May, days after Israel’s Eurovision win, the Israeli army killed 62 unarmed Palestinian protesters in Gaza, including six children, and injured hundreds, most with live ammunition. Amnesty International has condemned Israel’s shoot-to-kill-or-maim policy and Human Rights Watch described the killings as 'unlawful and calculated.'"
This part of the letter referred to the peaceful protests, known as "The Great March of Return," in which thousands of Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip -- which has suffered from a nearly 12-year Israeli siege -- who took to the borders to demand their right of return as refugees to their original homelands, now in present-day Israel.
The letter concluded "Eurovision 2019 should be boycotted if it is hosted by Israel while it continues its grave, decades-old violations of Palestinian human rights. We understand that the European Broadcasting Union is demanding that Israel finds a 'non-divisive' location for the 2019 Eurovision. It should cancel Israel’s hosting of the contest altogether and move it to another country with a better human rights record. Injustice divides, while the pursuit of dignity and human rights unites."
This followed after strong efforts by the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which led to a number of music artists cancelling their performance in Israel’s Meteor Music Festival, which was held in northern Israel and was to include Lana Del Rey, Shlohmo, Little Simz, and several others.
BDS has frequently called on many artists to cancel events in Israel, due to Israel's military action towards the Palestinians, in response some of the world’s top artists, such as Roger Waters, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, and Shakira have cancelled performances.
It is noteworthy, that hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in Israel is not necessary neither is it the only option to be considered. In 1980, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) had declined to host the contest in Israel for alleged financial reasons. Hence, the contest was held in The Hague, Netherlands instead.
The letter, which was published by The Guardian, was signed by about 140 artists from around the world, including six Israeli artists, demanding the song contest should be boycotted if it is "hosted by Israel while it continues its grave, decades-old violations of Palestinian human rights."
Among those who signed the letter are musicians Roger Waters, Brian Eno, Nosizwe, Bugge Wesseltoft, Lars Klevstrand, Trond Ingebretsen, Jos M rio Branco, Chullage, Dror Feiler, Christy Moore, Charlie McGettigan, Kimmo Pohjonen, Paleface, and actors Candy Bowers, Daan Hugaert, Marijke Pinoy, Chokri Ben Chikha, Tove Bornhoeft, Anne Marie Helger, Tommi Korpela, Krista Kosonen, and novelists Manuela Bosco, G rard Mordillat, Jos Luis Peixoto, Michel B hler, and many others.
The six Israelis who have also signed the letter are Aviad Albert, Michal Sapir, Ohal Grietzer, Yonatan Shapira, Danielle Ravitzki, and David Opp.
The letter supported an appeal from Palestinian artists to boycott Eurovision, stating that "We, the undersigned artists from Europe and beyond, support the heartfelt appeal from Palestinian artists to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 hosted by Israel."
The letter stressed "Until Palestinians can enjoy freedom, justice and equal rights, there should be no business-as-usual with the state that is denying them their basic rights."
"On 14 May, days after Israel’s Eurovision win, the Israeli army killed 62 unarmed Palestinian protesters in Gaza, including six children, and injured hundreds, most with live ammunition. Amnesty International has condemned Israel’s shoot-to-kill-or-maim policy and Human Rights Watch described the killings as 'unlawful and calculated.'"
This part of the letter referred to the peaceful protests, known as "The Great March of Return," in which thousands of Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip -- which has suffered from a nearly 12-year Israeli siege -- who took to the borders to demand their right of return as refugees to their original homelands, now in present-day Israel.
The letter concluded "Eurovision 2019 should be boycotted if it is hosted by Israel while it continues its grave, decades-old violations of Palestinian human rights. We understand that the European Broadcasting Union is demanding that Israel finds a 'non-divisive' location for the 2019 Eurovision. It should cancel Israel’s hosting of the contest altogether and move it to another country with a better human rights record. Injustice divides, while the pursuit of dignity and human rights unites."
This followed after strong efforts by the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which led to a number of music artists cancelling their performance in Israel’s Meteor Music Festival, which was held in northern Israel and was to include Lana Del Rey, Shlohmo, Little Simz, and several others.
BDS has frequently called on many artists to cancel events in Israel, due to Israel's military action towards the Palestinians, in response some of the world’s top artists, such as Roger Waters, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, and Shakira have cancelled performances.
It is noteworthy, that hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in Israel is not necessary neither is it the only option to be considered. In 1980, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) had declined to host the contest in Israel for alleged financial reasons. Hence, the contest was held in The Hague, Netherlands instead.
7 sept 2018
|
A wave of cancellations followed Lana Del Rey’s cancellation announcement for the Meteor Music Festival in northern Israel, this weekend.
Following efforts by the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) and worldwide criticism, more than 15 music artists have cancelled their performances at the Meteor Festival in Israel, according to the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The first cancellation, which was supposed to be the biggest act in the festival, was American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey, who tweeted: “it’s important to me to perform in both Palestine and Israel and treat all my fans equally.” |
The American musician Henry Laufer, also known as Shlohmo, announced his cancellation only several hours after Del Rey.
Shlohmo posted on his Twitter: “Sorry for short notice but I will NOT be playing in Israel next week. Supporting the oppressed thru my absence is more important to me especially after the government’s recent human rights atrocities.”
An American indie pop band from Montreal cancelled their performance through a post on their Facebook page: “We have decided to cancel our appearance at the Meteor festival. After exhausting all of the different possible ways of justifying playing an Israeli party festival, while the political and military leaders of the country continue their murderous and brutal policies against the Palestinian people, we came to the realization that there is no actual appropriate move other than to cancel the show.”
The most recent cancellation was announced by British singer and actress, Little Simz, who wrote: “Palestinian and Israeli relations are far more complicated than I knew. I will not be appearing at Meteor Festival.”
Ma’an News Agency reports that among the other famous names, which will not be part of the festival’s lineup, are British DJ Shanti Celeste, British DJ and producer Leon Vynehall, as well as Swedish DJ Seinfeld and Australian DJ Mall Grab. Also, Turkish singer Selda, DJ Volvox, DJ Python, Black Motion and bands such as Khalas and Zenobia have pulled out of the event.
BDS as well as its supporters, including Roger Waters, had called upon many of the artists, including Lana Del Rey, to cancel their performance at the festival as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Roger Waters spoke about the matter during an interview with The Real News Network, stressing “if you remain neutral where injustice is occurring, you are siding with the oppressor.”
Waters added: “Remaining neutral is to side with the occupation and with the apartheid state. It just is. The right thing to do is to cancel.”
Despite all these cancellations, more than 130 performances will take place at Meteor Festival.
Performing in Israel still remains highly politicized, with many criticizing that Israel’s military action towards the Palestinians is more than enough to justify a cultural boycott.
Interview: Roger Waters on Lionel Messi, Lana Del Rey and the BDS Movement
Shlohmo posted on his Twitter: “Sorry for short notice but I will NOT be playing in Israel next week. Supporting the oppressed thru my absence is more important to me especially after the government’s recent human rights atrocities.”
An American indie pop band from Montreal cancelled their performance through a post on their Facebook page: “We have decided to cancel our appearance at the Meteor festival. After exhausting all of the different possible ways of justifying playing an Israeli party festival, while the political and military leaders of the country continue their murderous and brutal policies against the Palestinian people, we came to the realization that there is no actual appropriate move other than to cancel the show.”
The most recent cancellation was announced by British singer and actress, Little Simz, who wrote: “Palestinian and Israeli relations are far more complicated than I knew. I will not be appearing at Meteor Festival.”
Ma’an News Agency reports that among the other famous names, which will not be part of the festival’s lineup, are British DJ Shanti Celeste, British DJ and producer Leon Vynehall, as well as Swedish DJ Seinfeld and Australian DJ Mall Grab. Also, Turkish singer Selda, DJ Volvox, DJ Python, Black Motion and bands such as Khalas and Zenobia have pulled out of the event.
BDS as well as its supporters, including Roger Waters, had called upon many of the artists, including Lana Del Rey, to cancel their performance at the festival as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Roger Waters spoke about the matter during an interview with The Real News Network, stressing “if you remain neutral where injustice is occurring, you are siding with the oppressor.”
Waters added: “Remaining neutral is to side with the occupation and with the apartheid state. It just is. The right thing to do is to cancel.”
Despite all these cancellations, more than 130 performances will take place at Meteor Festival.
Performing in Israel still remains highly politicized, with many criticizing that Israel’s military action towards the Palestinians is more than enough to justify a cultural boycott.
Interview: Roger Waters on Lionel Messi, Lana Del Rey and the BDS Movement
3 sept 2018
American electronic musician Henry Laufer, a.k.a. “Shlohmo”, has canceled his planned appearance at an Israeli music festival, he announced on Twitter, Saturday.
Laufer apologized to fans and festival staff, in his announcement, saying that “supporting the oppressed thru [sic] my absence is more important to me especially after the [Israeli] government’s recent human rights atrocities.”
“I had said no to playing there for years and the only reason I could find to say yes was if I were to donate my fee to Gaza relief,” Laufer wrote. “But after much dialogue I found it to be a more important statement to say no all together [sic] than to donate. I hope you can understand this decision.”
While Laufer said he was aware that “there is a huge population of Israelis who protest the state policies + support Palestinians,” he found that “the more I dwell on the issue the more I can’t justify going. I urge others to research the issue.”
The musician was set to perform at the Israeli Meteor Festival in the occupied Al-Jaleel on September 7. The festival aimed to beautify the image of Israeli occupation.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement frequently lobbies musicians to cancel planned concerts in Israel, sometimes successfully.
Singer Lorde canceled a planned show for Israel in December, saying that she “didn’t make the right call” when deciding to perform.
In 2010, Elvis Costello canceled two shows in Israel, saying it was “impossible to look the other way” about Israeli policies. The same year, Gil Scott-Heron said he would not play in Israel “until everyone is welcome there.”
Laufer apologized to fans and festival staff, in his announcement, saying that “supporting the oppressed thru [sic] my absence is more important to me especially after the [Israeli] government’s recent human rights atrocities.”
“I had said no to playing there for years and the only reason I could find to say yes was if I were to donate my fee to Gaza relief,” Laufer wrote. “But after much dialogue I found it to be a more important statement to say no all together [sic] than to donate. I hope you can understand this decision.”
While Laufer said he was aware that “there is a huge population of Israelis who protest the state policies + support Palestinians,” he found that “the more I dwell on the issue the more I can’t justify going. I urge others to research the issue.”
The musician was set to perform at the Israeli Meteor Festival in the occupied Al-Jaleel on September 7. The festival aimed to beautify the image of Israeli occupation.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement frequently lobbies musicians to cancel planned concerts in Israel, sometimes successfully.
Singer Lorde canceled a planned show for Israel in December, saying that she “didn’t make the right call” when deciding to perform.
In 2010, Elvis Costello canceled two shows in Israel, saying it was “impossible to look the other way” about Israeli policies. The same year, Gil Scott-Heron said he would not play in Israel “until everyone is welcome there.”
1 sept 2018
In an open letter, published on Friday in the British the Guardian newspaper, 15 academics and scientists from around the world expressed opposition to holding a conference on cosmology and particle physics at Ariel University, as it is located in an illegal settlement of the occupied Palestinian territory.
“We are writing to express our view that Ariel University in the occupied West Bank is the wrong venue for a conference on cosmology and particle physics starting on Monday 3 September and running until 6 September,” said the letter.
“The settlements are illegal under international law and have been denounced by the international court of justice and numerous UN resolutions. Human Rights Watch has noted that Ariel’s ‘development is inseparable from a history of continuous dispossession of Palestinians from their land and restrictions on their freedom of movement’.”
The academics said that, due to its location on occupied land, Ariel University is excluded from receiving funds from the European Union, US-Israel Binational Science Foundation, and the German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development. In 2012, more than 1,200 Israeli faculty members signed a petition opposing the establishment of Ariel, describing it as an attempt to recruit the Israeli academia into the service of the occupation and settlement efforts.
They called on fellow academics and scientists not to engage in activities at Ariel University because it would be tantamount to accepting Israeli annexation of occupied territories and normalizing the occupation.
“We, the undersigned, believe that participating in any activities held in a settlement amounts to accepting the Israeli government’s policy of gradually annexing the occupied territories to Israel. We call upon our colleagues and the wider scientific community to consider these facts before engaging in any activities related to Ariel, and not to take part in any attempts to use science to normalize the occupation of the Palestinian territories.”
Prof Ofer Aharony Weizmann Institute
Prof Imad Barghouthi, Al Quds University
Prof Suleiman Baraka, Al Aqsa University-Gaza and Virginia Tech
Prof Robert Brandenberger, McGill University
Prof Anne-Christine Davis, University of Cambridge
Prof John Ellis, King’s College London
Prof David Gross, Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, Santa Barbara
Prof Thomas Hertog, KU Leuven
Dr David Marsh, University of Cambridge
Prof Ann E Nelson, University of Washington
Dr Syksy Räsänen, University of Helsinki
Prof Martin Rees, University of Cambridge
Prof Nathan Seiberg, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton
Prof Neil Turok, Perimeter Institute
Prof Edward Witten, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton
“We are writing to express our view that Ariel University in the occupied West Bank is the wrong venue for a conference on cosmology and particle physics starting on Monday 3 September and running until 6 September,” said the letter.
“The settlements are illegal under international law and have been denounced by the international court of justice and numerous UN resolutions. Human Rights Watch has noted that Ariel’s ‘development is inseparable from a history of continuous dispossession of Palestinians from their land and restrictions on their freedom of movement’.”
The academics said that, due to its location on occupied land, Ariel University is excluded from receiving funds from the European Union, US-Israel Binational Science Foundation, and the German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development. In 2012, more than 1,200 Israeli faculty members signed a petition opposing the establishment of Ariel, describing it as an attempt to recruit the Israeli academia into the service of the occupation and settlement efforts.
They called on fellow academics and scientists not to engage in activities at Ariel University because it would be tantamount to accepting Israeli annexation of occupied territories and normalizing the occupation.
“We, the undersigned, believe that participating in any activities held in a settlement amounts to accepting the Israeli government’s policy of gradually annexing the occupied territories to Israel. We call upon our colleagues and the wider scientific community to consider these facts before engaging in any activities related to Ariel, and not to take part in any attempts to use science to normalize the occupation of the Palestinian territories.”
Prof Ofer Aharony Weizmann Institute
Prof Imad Barghouthi, Al Quds University
Prof Suleiman Baraka, Al Aqsa University-Gaza and Virginia Tech
Prof Robert Brandenberger, McGill University
Prof Anne-Christine Davis, University of Cambridge
Prof John Ellis, King’s College London
Prof David Gross, Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, Santa Barbara
Prof Thomas Hertog, KU Leuven
Dr David Marsh, University of Cambridge
Prof Ann E Nelson, University of Washington
Dr Syksy Räsänen, University of Helsinki
Prof Martin Rees, University of Cambridge
Prof Nathan Seiberg, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton
Prof Neil Turok, Perimeter Institute
Prof Edward Witten, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton
31 aug 2018
Lana Del Rey performs at the 2014 Coachella Music and Arts Festival on Sunday, April 13, 2014, in Indio, California.
American singer Lana Del Rey has announced that she would postpone a show in Israel scheduled for Friday, due to to her inability to schedule a show for Palestinian fans, according to Haaretz Israeli daily. video
In a statement posted on her Twitter page, Del Rey said she was delaying her show “until a time when I can schedule visits for both my Israeli and Palestinian fans.”
The Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) movement, in an open letter to Del Rey, asserted that “performing in an apartheid state, whether South Africa in the past or Israel today, in defiance of the voices of the oppressed, always undermines the popular struggle of the oppressed to end oppression.”
American singer Lana Del Rey has announced that she would postpone a show in Israel scheduled for Friday, due to to her inability to schedule a show for Palestinian fans, according to Haaretz Israeli daily. video
In a statement posted on her Twitter page, Del Rey said she was delaying her show “until a time when I can schedule visits for both my Israeli and Palestinian fans.”
The Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) movement, in an open letter to Del Rey, asserted that “performing in an apartheid state, whether South Africa in the past or Israel today, in defiance of the voices of the oppressed, always undermines the popular struggle of the oppressed to end oppression.”
Following the criticism, Lana Del Rey responded, via her Twitter, “We will still be playing our show in Israel. That being said, I understand the concern towards showing support to the Palestinians too.
So I just wanted to let you know when I’m in Israel I will be visiting Palestine, too, and I look forward to meeting both Palestinian and Israeli children and playing music for everyone.”
12/31/17 Lorde Set an Example to Follow for Young Celebrities
So I just wanted to let you know when I’m in Israel I will be visiting Palestine, too, and I look forward to meeting both Palestinian and Israeli children and playing music for everyone.”
12/31/17 Lorde Set an Example to Follow for Young Celebrities