Elvis Costello's decision earlier this week to cancel his shows in Israel was notable for several reasons, but perhaps most of all for his public statement announcing it. Most artists are not taking that step yet, but that doesn't mean that the boycott isn't spreading. Here is an interesting tidbit from a Forward article on Costello and the growing movement:
In reaction, a music industry insider confirmed that the winds could be shifting. The music executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity in light of his ongoing business ties with artists, said that in recent months he had approached more than 15 performing artists with proposals to give concerts in Israel. None had agreed. The contracts offered high levels of compensation. He called them “extreme, big numbers that could match any other gig.”
Not to be vain but… artists do tend to be the bellwethers of social change.
“he had approached more than 15 performing artists with proposals to give concerts in Israel. None had agreed.”
I knew it..It’s going viral. Only a matter of time..
Israel is starting to “smell bad” to the artistic community. No one wants to be associated with something worse than apartheid, and people are starting to figure it out, even if sometimes only subliminally.
They care about making money Pammy. Why else would they play any of the repressive sheikdoms you support that have their workers in a state of virtual slavery and treat woman like chattel?
How much do you make every time you fake a poll, julian”
Julian’s fake poll..If you click on the link it states the OPPOSITE!
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According to an independent poll reported by Haaretz:
” With respect to final status, 59% of Palestinians polled deemed an Islamic Waqf from the Jordan River to the Sea as “essential,” and an additional 12% as “desirable.” 71% said “greater Palestine” from the Jordan to the Sea was essential and 11% found that option desirable. How these apparent preferences square with a two-state solution is left unsaid.
- In contrast, only 17% of Israelis deemed the “greater Israel” option “essential” while 47% found “greater Israel” to be “unacceptable.”
link to haaretz.com
Israel will never be an Islamic Waqf. Time to get used to it.
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This is the type of people we’ve been fighting for more than 60 years! Forgers, fakers, scamers and swindlers! From day one!!
you betcha, Julian, it’s all about money.
Americans are scared crapless that their deeply in debt and headed for Weimar Germany status.
BUT, there IS a solution, and JEWS can provide it!!!
doncha love it? No punitive, ineffective stuff like BDS that would only toss a little sand in the gears of brand Israel, hell no, THIS goes to the heart of the matter, solves problems all over the place.
I think thorsprovoni’s suggestion should be expanded upon: As each zionist billionaire turns over his fortune to the US in order to pay back the US for its crimes against the American people, he/she should get a specially minted Nobel medal!!!!
love it, just love it.
Phil, I believe it is Boca Raton.
O Reilly Factor mentioned Costello’s decision in passing tonight, along with another artist. O Reilly suggested it was an inexplicable stance, in essence; without elaboration. “It’s a free country.”
I’ve never seen O Reilly given the slightest hint he knew anything at all about the plight of the Palestinians. Truly amazing, his “no spin zone.”
I’ve never seen O’Reilly give the slightest hint he new anything at all. There fixed. He should have taken up his true calling as a Desk Sargeant, or the creepy gym teacher that would hit on all the underage girls.
A slight problem with this kind of boycott is that many young Israelis in the audiences might well be against their government’s policies of repression, colonialism, and all the other nasties.
Most will be IDF-trained goons, and others, yeshiva boys, but some will be responsive to different ideas. Not many, but a few.
Don’t start out with the line: ‘I’m glad to be in Jerusalem, the capital of this country (consults notes) Israel.
It might be a good idea if a rockstar changed his lyrics slightly to favour the Palestinian struggle.
Try it out, mildly. with an early song; test the audience reaction, and then go in, full blast.
“A slight problem with this kind of boycott is that many young Israelis in the audiences might well be against their government’s policies of repression, colonialism, and all the other nasties.”
Indeed, but it’s hard to think of a gentler way of protesting than BDS, I imagine conscientious Israelis would understand that also. Realistically BDS will *never* lead to a situation (such as Gaza) where the economy is decimated and the population are on food aid.
Richard
An answer to your concerns is found in the article itself:
It’s good to hear your opinions on modern culture in Israel. What are you about a 100 years old?
Have another cigarette, something will come to you.
How are the reading lessons going Julian?
That was quite a gag you pulled with those make believe passages from the Haaretz article.
Yes there maybe a few who might be “against their government’s policies of repression, colonialism, and all the other nasties.” There are such people everywhere (I am sure there were in SA during Apartheid). Just because there is a minority of good people who do not support their government’s actions does not mean that we cannot call for and implement BDS–who knows it might even spur those critics into more action.
As MANY have stated, the purpose of BDS is primarily, overwhelmingly primarily, to educate Israelis and others on what is occurring in Israel and in the territories.
That means that it must be understood fully (not just rhetorically), and presented fully.
That someone is not performing is not the news. Thats just the horse race news (like in a political campaign, where the press only reports who rose in what polls, rather than what perspective and qualifications a candidate has).
Not to worry, Richard Witty, there are only two US congressmen who have fought for the Palestinians in Gaza and their peers do not listen:
link to youtube.com
Why these two strange fellows have even tried to inform their constituents about what Israel is doing! Imagine that.
“That means that it must be understood fully (not just rhetorically), and presented fully.”
Do you have such low regard for the intelligence of Israelis Witty? Do you think Israelis are too thick to figure it out?
The purpose of BDS is to destroy Israel. They know they don’t have any shot of succeeding at that so they will try in little steps.
“The purpose of BDS is to destroy Israel.”
Another imaginary poll told you that right Julian?
Is this why you fake polls Julian?
I think Julian gets a bonus for humiliating himself in public.
He won’t respond Shingo. He knows he’s done a shameful thing. Like a little dog who has crapped on the sofa, he stays underground .
You assume that Julian has shame.
“The purpose of BDS is to destroy Israel.”
Really? Destroy it how, precisely? I mean, look at what your side is doing to destroy the Palestinians, starving the civilian population into pestilence and death. You’re seriously suggesting that when Elvis Costello pulls out of two gigs in Israel, he’s committed to the “destruction of Israel?”
Perhaps the message of BDS is not coming through to you, Julian. STOP THE GENOCIDE OF PALESTINIANS NOW! Unless somehow you dishonestly equate that with he “destruction of Israel.”
The purpose of BDS is to educate and mobilize the people towards changing the status quo as between Palestinians and Israelis, as Scott Mcconnel (sic) pointed out on this blog on May 10th last. Follow the comment thread under Scott’s article.
I’m still waiting to hear the details, fleshed out in full, of Olmert’s “generous offer”.
Julian is full of shit, as usual.
“The purpose of BDS is to destroy Israel.”
Wow, the place must be on shaky ground, if BDS can destroy it. In that case, it’s only the minimum of fiduciary responsibility for financial advisors to recommend their clients pull their investments from Israel.
Thanks Julian, for letting us know what a bad investment Israel is.
what a horrible intention, Julian, to destroy Israel; horrible and pointless.
here’s a better idea, better than BDS:
No the purpose is not only to educate. The purpose is to put pressure and to isolate. The purpose is to show Israel, government and people, that civil society around the world does not condone nor justifies the continued human rights violations and breaches to international law which has become the routine in Israel’s politics and norm of behavior vis-a-vis the Palestinians.
And Israel knows it; that’s why it has increased its public disdain for International law and its agencies, coupled with launching its Brand Israel campaign.
The irony is of course that Israel pointed towards international recognition of it as a credible state among states.
What is the reality?
Its not what is forcefully conveyed by left or right, though there are truths in both.
Its probably closer to what the left presents (at least as far as Palestinians’ civil rights), but because the left is so excessive and condemnatory (rather than informative), it falls on deaf ears.
There must be someone of conscience somewhere that can describe the experience of Palestinians more realistically, and also describe possibility more realistically.
Someone somewhere must be around that could raise $100,000 for a complete and effective film or multi-media presentation that is descriptive merely, so could be presented and welcomed in public venues.
“Its not what is forcefully conveyed by left or right, though there are truths in both.”
No Witty, you don;t arrive at teh truth by taking the left and picking the version that lies in the middle.
“but because the left is so excessive and condemnatory (rather than informative), it falls on deaf ears.”
That assumes that the right lack the intelligence to understand.
“There must be someone of conscience somewhere that can describe the experience of Palestinians more realistically, and also describe possibility more realistically.”
Witty’s gone abck to lamenting the absence fo a Palestinian Gandi. Of course, if he exieted, Israel would call him a terrorist and assassinate him anyway.
“Someone somewhere must be around that could raise $100,000 for a complete and effective film or multi-media presentation that is descriptive merely, so could be presented and welcomed in public venues. ”
They have. It’s called “Rachel”
What is “Rachel”? A movie, what?
A link?
The right are not your taget to inform. Its the majority that have conditional views that are the difference between a mass movement and a factional one.
The majority are aleady digusted with Israel Witty, which is why Israel is regarded as a blight on humanity and a greater threat to world peace than Iran.
This is what teh majority thinks of Israel. Our work is already done.
Special Place in Hell / Rebranding Israel as a state headed for fascism
link to haaretz.com
Maariv: Minister Ben Eliezer shaken by hostility to Israel in EU, OECD membership notwithstanding
link to coteret.com
Israel outraged as EU poll names it a threat to peace
link to guardian.co.uk
I believe it’s a film about Rachel Corrie.
It’s a movie from Simone Bitton. It played in Israel–may still be playing, as the Corrie’s pursue their case against Israel in the Israeli courts.
link to youtube.com
And, of course, there is the play, My Name Is Rachel Corrie:
link to hotreview.org
Rachel called on all Americans to become more aware of what their own government was aiding, to become more aware of our foreign policy and foreign aid. I’d venture to say, despite the fact the US is the sole superpower, most Americans have little interest
in foreign policy and foreign aid. Before you know it, they will find themselves involved in a third war front even as their economy continues to fall to pieces.
How is that scope of content going to educate masses of people on the reality of the political and other relationships.
Got that it was a wake-up to you. “Something is different than what I knew”.
But, thats as far as it goes. What is the next inquiry? What is the content sufficient to form an in-depth understanding of the history and present?
Witty, take any single “something is different than what I knew”
and that difference itself prompts the next logical inquiry; now multiply. No different that somebody finding out that a spell won’t cure a physical ailment, but, say, drinking more water helps. And
so on. How many Americans have ever heard of the Nakba? 1%?
“Someone somewhere must be around that could raise $100,000 for a complete and effective film or multi-media presentation that is descriptive merely, so could be presented and welcomed in public venues.”
I’m your man, Richard! Give me $100,000, and I will fly to Israel, and keep right on going. So long, chump!
Not Libertarian? Freedom to associate/disassociate with whomever for whatever reason?
The problem is when artists and others tend to give reasons for their stance they risk getting tarred as anti-semites. Campaigns to silence information and opinions effectively shut down desemination. What theatre, small or large chain, is going to want to show a movie or documentary about the conditions in Gaza or the OTs?
I seem to remember Michael Moore talking about doing a film a few years ago, but I just don’t think he’d risk it.
He dedicated one of his films to Rachel Corrie. Apartheid South Africa did not have the anti-semite meme to counter objective criticism of its government. I agree with MarkF.
“He dedicated one of his films to Rachel Corrie.”
It’s not really enough though is it? Imagine a Michael Moore film on the Israel Lobby or the siege of Gaza. I can see it now, his very own flotilla – flying a US flag – trying to break the blockade and being fired upon by the Israel navy. The perfect segueway to a discussion of the USS Liberty!
Actually, I’ve been seriously hoping that Naomi Klein will write a book on US/Israel relations.
Still basically droning on and on and on, “Where is the Palestinian Gandhi?” just reframed to slander us instead.
How many times have we explained BDS to you now? All you do is refuse to read the information and keep whining, falsely, that there is no concrete definition of BDS.
You’re going to be racist against everything the Palestinians do, Witty. We’ve proven that a hundred times over with you blame the Gazans for being showered with white phosphorous by Israel, and how Israel was merely defending itself by escalating starvation into outright slaughter and war crime.
I think we’ve made a breakthrough now that we’ve established that Witty is a racist. It enables us cut through his BS and sheds light on his warped perspective and glaring inconsistencies.
I don’t think Witty is really a racist. (Yeah, sure I don’t)
About now Richard’s big problem is this: If he acknowledges any validity at all to the Palestinians, what does that make his son?
That’s what he can’t face, and that’s why his comments are becoming more and more nonsensical.
A moral and ethical lobotomy is the only thing which provides him relief, at this stage of his game.
Actually, I could really feel for the guy, he’s put himself in a hell of a spot as a parent. Yeah, maybe I could.
Witty wants someone to do a film that is “descriptive merely, so could be presented and welcomed in public venues.” About a past and on-going situation. Witty why don’t you suggest a film that has done this in the past? So we know what you mean by “descriptive merely.” Thanks in advance.
>> Its probably closer to what the left presents (at least as far as Palestinians’ civil rights), but because the left is so excessive and condemnatory (rather than informative), it falls on deaf ears.
No more excessive and condemnatory movies, books, plays or speeches about the Nazis and/or the Holocaust. From now on, they will be strictly informative. :-)
>> Someone somewhere must be around that could raise $100,000 for a complete and effective film or multi-media presentation that is descriptive merely, so could be presented and welcomed in public venues.
I’ve read that a $1.95 ball of green yarn and a free poem or two can accomplish the same thing.
You say the most absurd born-yesterday things on occasion Richard.
There are *multiple* films and documentaries on the situation in Israel/Palestine, from a variety of angles. How have you managed to miss them? >>There are regular references to them in the MW comments. You have google and wikipedia. Many are available online or as torrents. There are squillions of clips on you tube with little to no editorial input.
People are capable of critical observation. I suspect you fantasise if only audiences saw your perfect film they would suddenly drop support for Palestinian rights – I doubt it. The days of zionist domination of the narrative are over. Truth hurts eh?
So, what do you recommend?
The purpose of “description merely” is to inform, and widely, not only to the converted.
Isn’t that important to you?
Witty, what makes you think I don’t think it’s important to inform widely, and not merely to the converted? Again, can you give us an example of a film that has done what you recommend in the past?
The antiwar movement of the 60s was fueled by the powerful protest songs of the day. We’ve seen very little like this since, but the potential is still there. A song is a very effective way to get out a message.
Unfortunately, Robert Zimmerman has only written a song defending Israel.
Here’s my free poem:
Though driven from our homes and land, we reach out with an open hand
beneath the glow of heaven’s sun and send our love to everyone.
We seek with foes to reconcile, that children once again may smile
and dream of futures free from strife, of growing old and living life.
Our hearts did break, our bodies, too; but let us now rebuild anew
our homes, our hopes, our history – between the river and the sea.
Alrighty, then: Let the changing of Israel’s misguided ways begin! :-)