Dear Mr. Douglas,
I am an Israeli citizen living in West Jerusalem. I am writing to you two weeks ahead of your scheduled concerts in the Israeli city of Eilat.
I am fan of Jazz music and a fan of your work. I believe you should know that only some of the people living under Israeli control will be allowed to attend your concert in Eilat. Palestinian Jazz fans living under a brutal Israeli military regime in the Occupied Territories will not be allowed to enter Eilat (or cross the green line borders into Israel).
Moreover, performing in Israel at this time involves crossing an international picket line. Crossing the line is equivalent to choosing a side. Your presence in Israel will be used as a PR tool to promote the official "business as usual" charade, which serves to prolong the suffering of millions of people and perpetuate an apartheid reality which is bad for all the inhabitants of the region.
I would like to add that the Mayor of Eilat, possibly the main patron of the event, and one of the dignitaries who will receive and greet you when you arrive, has also called for brutal measures against asylum seekers:
And in the City of Eilat, which is also in the aforementioned democratic State of Israel, the mayor in person this week organized a large demonstration demanding that migrant workers and asylum seekers from Sudan and Eritrea be immediately expelled from his town. And also this was, of course, not motivated by racism, God forbid, but because of the desire to preserve the character of the City of Eilat.
Would you perform at a party organized by the Governor of Arizona?
If you wish to engage the Israeli public, participation in a festival sponsored by the Israeli government does not seem like the right way of doing so. In fact, there are various alternatives available to you, if you wish to come to Israel/Palestine.
In view of all this, I am asking you to cancel your performances in Eilat.
Thank You
Ofer Neiman
P.S
This is a personal letter. I am also a member of Boycott! Supporting the Palestinian BDS Call from within. Please see our website to learn why Israeli citizens see no alternative to a campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions against their country.
