From Haaretz:
More than 150 American actors, writers, directors and other artists signed a letter of support for the Israeli actors who declared they would not perform in the West Bank.
The American signatories include Cynthia Nixon, who plays Miranda on "Sex and the City"; Mandy Patinkin, who played Inigo Montoya in "The Princess Bride"; and character actor and writer Wallace Shawn, who played the principal in "Clueless." . . .
The American letter calls the Israelis' refusal brave, notes that Ariel is one of the largest settlements in the West Bank and calls it illegal by any standard.
The signatories said that most of them faced daily compromises with things they found unacceptable, and that when a group of people decided they would make no more compromises and found the strength to refuse, this inspired them and filled them with hope.
The American artists were moved to know the Israelis had refused to allow their work to become part of what they called making the cruel occupation normal and accepted, they said in the letter. The occupation is an obstacle to hope and a just and sustainable peace for Israelis and Palestinians, they added.
The signatories said the Israeli artists' decision should be appreciated by those who seek justice around the world.
We'll update when we have more information.
Updates when the smear campaigns start.
“Updates when the smear campaigns start.”
And they always have very strong arguments. Such as this one posted as a comment in Haaretz article:
“Nixon was the ugliest of the bunch – a meeskeit”
Impressive!
wait for it….wait for it….
>> The American artists were moved to know the Israelis had refused to allow their work to become part of what they called making the cruel occupation normal and accepted, they said in the letter. The occupation is an obstacle to hope and a just and sustainable peace for Israelis and Palestinians, they added.
Now THAT is humanism at work, THAT is “humanizing ‘the Other’”.
I wonder what role, if any, Kristin Davis’ job as a spokesperson for Ahava beauty products manufactured in the colonies had on Cynthia Nixon’s decision to cosign this letter?
Still, those American actors are cute!!
When Mondoweiss wrote about the initial Israeli actors’ boycott of the West Bank settlement, I commented that this should open the door for Americans to boycott.
I’m glad some do indeed follow up. Come on, where are the others? Sign up!
…. But, will it make them better performers?
Not sure if it will make them better performers, but it certainly makes them better human beings :)
True, Red, they are better human beings for signing up.
Yet still, even though I’m a touch impressed by the number of signatures, I can’t help but think it’s a rather pathetic list of celebs. I mean: where is Brad, Angelina, Matt Damon, George Clooney? Where is Sean Penn, John Cussack and Tim Robbins on the issue of Apartheid in israel? The producers of ‘Wag the Dog’? Oh for god’s sakes where is Oliver Stone?
Know watta mean?
Their silence is as loud as Barbara Streisand’s.
Some interesting names on the list, a few involved on both sides, IIRC, of the the New York City Theater Workshop’s early 2006 decision to cancel the first production in the USA of My Name is Rachel Corrie. For instance, James C. Nicola (signing the petition as Jim Nicola) who decided to cancel the production back then, is a signatory. Tony Kushner and Linda Chapman were on the other side.
Edward Einhorn is representative of other names, such as Theodore S. Berger, one wouldn’t expect to see on this list, and are influential. Yale’s drama department is very well represented.
The folks at this niche at Masada 2000 are going to be very busy when they get hold of these names to add to their list.
Sepaking of Rachel Corrie, the second phase of the civil suit against the IDF and Israeli Defense Ministry for wrongful death opened Saturday in Haifa. I’m writing about it at firedoglake, and the Rachel Corrie Foundation has a trial blog.
Send out the word, we need a new Sun City!
link to youtube.com
Meryl Streep needs to wake up like Vanessa Redgrave did ages ago.