RSS Feeds

The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil,    but because of the people who don't do anything about it

Occupation magazine - Activism Home page  back Print  Send To friend Moby, please don`t play for apartheid - BDS activists respond to Moby`s recent Facebook posting Dear Moby, We just read your message apologizing for `troubling some people` with your decision to play in Israel (http://www.moby.com/journal/2011-07-08/im-sorry-if- my-decisions-visit-certain.html). We are indeed troubled. And since you mention Italy and Berlusconi, we wanted to reply. We agree with your assertion that visiting Italy, as you will be doing this weekend, is not akin to supporting Berlusconi. The difference here, and this is important, is that there is no appeal for a boycott of Italy as a way of pressuring Berlusconi to change his policies. You can`t say the same in the case of Israel. Over 170 organizations from Palestinian civil society, the very people suffering directly from Israeli policies, have called for a boycott of Israel until it complies with international law. As we have already explained, the boycott is supported by international artists, as well as people such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu and United Nations Special Rapporteur on Palestinian human rights Richard Falk Your concert in the north of Italy may very well be attended by fans from Slovenia or Austria. You can`t say the same for your fans in the West Bank or Gaza wishing to see you perform just a few miles away. They won`t be allowed to travel to Tel Aviv. And as unpredictable as Berlusconi may be, you can rest assured that he won`t be using your concert as a way of legitimizing his policies. You can`t say the same for the Israeli government. Artists performing in Israel will be used to create an aura of normalcy for a state that has been carrying out an illegal occupation and apartheid policies for decades. Just this past June, during a 10-day Israeli government sponsored kermesse in Milan, the video clips of international stars performing in Tel Aviv as part of the multimedia installation on the city`s main square illustrated that there is no separating music and politics where Israel is concerned. It`s certainly true, as you say, that virtually all countries have questionable aspects of their foreign policy, and Italy is no different. However, few have given rise to an international boycott movement, where state pension funds divest, superstars cancel concerts, universities sever ties, consumers check the labels and Nobel prize laureates publicly express their support. No matter how much you talk about just wanting to `connect with people through music`, there is no getting around the fact that by performing in Israel, you will be breaching the boycott, crossing the picket line. There`s no getting around the fact that you will be entertaining apartheid. There`s no getting around the fact that your performance will be used to legitimize Israeli policies. Would you have played in Sun City during the boycotts of apartheid South Africa? Would you have insisted on simply wanting to connect with the white only audience through your music? Make love, fuck war. And don`t play for apartheid. Sincerely, BDS Italy BDS Italy is a national collective of groups endorsing the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel O N Links to the latest articles in this section Refusing the war! Demonstration today, Thur. Apris 24, at 7.30 pm, Habima Square, Tel Aviv Refusing the war! Demonstration today, Thur. Apris 24, at 7.30 pm, Habima Square, Tel Aviv Saturday night protests: No to Netanyahu`s war!