The following article is a press release from a Canadian music group.
Ottawa musical group Three Little Birds sings “Apartheid” on CTV Morning Live, and is subsequently attacked by pro-Israel media watchdog HonestReporting Canada.
The band’s segment on CTV promotes their self-titled debut album, Three Little Birds, and their performance at the Ottawa Jazz Festival. HonestReporting Canada’s call for its subscribers to write to CTV and condemn the band’s use of the term “apartheid” in reference to Israel is an attempt to censor open debate on the state of Israel’s policies.
“We do not use the term ‘apartheid’ lightly,” says band member Angela Schleihauf. “According to the definition of apartheid under international law, the Russell Tribunal on Palestine, and the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa Report, Israel is undoubtedly operating as an apartheid state.”
Three Little Birds’ song “Apartheid” was originally a response to the banning of a poster at Carleton University that featured a cartoon representation of the Gaza Strip bombardment in 2008-2009, which killed over 1,400 Palestinians. The poster banning gained significant media attention, both in Canada and around the world, due to the questions it raised about censorship and Israel’s policies.
“The song is our reaction to attempted censorship,” says Erin Adair. “It’s ironic that HonestReporting Canada is asking its subscribers to censor CTV’s coverage of music and politics. They are calling upon CTV executives to never again present anyone on the air who criticizes the current actions of the state of Israel through use of the term ‘apartheid’ like we did in our song.”
“Like any other country the policies and practices of the state of Israel should not be immune from debate and criticism” adds Amelia Leclair.
Tweet tatweet tweetiez!
That’s ‘thank you ladiez’ in birdspeak.
great song. thank you.
I am blown away by the bandmember’s eloquent and succinct rebuttal, she leaves not one centimeter of wiggle room for the pro-israel camp to attack her back with. Wow! I am just in awe of the response, so spot on both legally and morally.
It is getting harder and harder for the pro-israel camp to spread their lies and spin.
Wow, great song! What beautiful and luminous human beings these fine women are.
This press release could be improved by adding an address to write to in support of the band. The producers at CTV may be unaware of the aggressive nature of the pro-Israel apartheid types; they’ll feel better about hosting such acts in the future if they get supportive messages citing Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter and Jewish voices for justice. So: send your considered comments to CTV Regional Vice-President Richard Gray: Richard.Gray@bellmedia.ca
It’s also a good idea to give the band some well-deserved publicity. Here’s their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/threelittlebirdstheband
https://www.facebook.com/threelittlebirdstheband
Once again the truth hurts these reprobates.