This music artist boycott of Israel

[davek]

http://www.newstatesman.com/music/2010/09/israel-interview-boycott-naja

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/world/middleeast/10concerts.html

Seems to be gaining a head of steam. Costello, Gorillaz, Klaxons, Massive Attack, etc joining in with this cultural boycott of Israel until there's movement on a peace deal that satisfies the Palestinians. It's portrayed like the anti-apartheid boycott, but the difference is the element of internal dissent to the Zionist regime's actions, and it'll therefore harm the progressive-minded people who no doubt would go to see these groups, by and large.

Seems a strange move for musicians to do this, in fact for a cultural boycott per se, because those involved in the arts inside Israel will be anti-state oppression.

 

[Clint Planet]

[ It's portrayed like the anti-apartheid boycott, but the difference is the element of internal dissent to the Zionist regime's actions, and it'll therefore harm the progressive-minded people who no doubt would go to see these groups, by and large.

Well, it won't harm them will it, Dave?

I'm all for it. In fact, I'm scratching my head as to how anyone could even contemplate performing in modern day Israel whilst Palestinians are forced to live under such dreadful conditions, day in day out.

 

[Clint Planet]

Seems a strange move for musicians to do this, in fact for a cultural boycott per se, because those involved in the arts inside Israel will be anti-state oppression.

Do you not think a significant proportion will sympathise with - and even support - a boycott?

 

[davek]

Do you not think a significant proportion will sympathise with - and even support - a boycott?

Yes, many probably would.

It's a dilemma: I can deffo see the value of boycotting Israel. I'd support that in principle. I just feel for the hundreds of thousands of decent Israelis who'd be penalised. It's a pity, but if it's got be done....