Jan 5, 2012

#BDS: Open Letter to Ana Moura: Don’t perform in Apartheid #Israel

"Renowned Portuguese Fado singer Ana Moura plans to perform in Israel on 27th January, in violation of the Palestinian call for a cultural boycott of the Israeli state. Before goingto Israel, she will be playng in Dublin’s National Concert Hall on Thursday 19th January.

While welcoming Ms. Moura to Ireland, the IPSC will balance that welcome with  a demonstration against her indifference to the fate (= “fado”) of the Palestinian people. The demo will start at 8pm on Thursday 19th January at 7pm outside the National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2."

Read more

#BDS in #France: 2011 a Breakthrough Year!

"The BDS movement had amazing successes in 2011 in France. Before 2011, French activists for Palestinian human rights had never seen a French musician cancel a show in Israel.  But 2011 saw three famous musicians cancel.  
In January, Vanessa Paradis refused to sing in Israel.  Her partner, Johnny Depp, also cancelled his trip to Israel.   French activists had asked the pop star to cancel her trip, in a highly visible creative protest outside of one of her concerts.  In November, Mireille Mathieu made an announcement on her website that she was postponing her Tel Aviv concert.  BDS France had written her an open letter, and they encourage her to stand strong against pressure from both French and Israeli booking agents to “reschedule” her concert in the apartheid state.  In December famed from opera singer, Oumou Sangaré chose to cancel her planned performance with the Israeli Opera.  An informative letter from BDS France was followed by a letter from BDS Italy."

Read more

#BDS: 2011 - Summary of the Cultural Boycott of Israel for Musicians

"The year 2011 was a year full of many successes in the campaign for the cultural boycott of Israel. This summary will focus on the cultural boycott with emphasis on musical artists and groups.
The fall of South African apartheid was preceded by many musical artists who joined to create a movement. That movement became known popularly as “I’m not gonna play Sun City.” Israel has not yet seen its Sun City moment fully, but as you’ll see, significant rumblings are beginning.

January, 2011: Jon Bon Jovi was asked not play in Israel. Thus far, boycott efforts have been successful. The singer had announced on Larry King Live he would perform in Israel. After boycott efforts to ask him to refrain, no concert ever happened. [1]

French pop star Vanessa Paradis refuses to perform in Israel.[2] Her partner, American film icon Johnny Depp also cancels his visit to Israel."

Read more

#BDS: It’s Never Too Late to Boycott #Israel

It’s difficult to avoid, especially in the frenzy of consumerism and gift-giving which washes over the West at the end of every year: “I meant to boycott that company,” I’ve had friends tell me, “but it was a gift.” Or, “I bought it before I knew.” But like it or not, our unwitting purchases, or receipt thereof as gifts, play a role in preventing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns against Israel from achieving their full potential.

Individual responsibility doesn’t end once the money is spent, or once a gift is received. Simply owning a product manufactured by a company complicit in Israeli apartheid sends a message that makes others less willing to take up the boycott. This post explores the proper, evironmentally responsible means for disposing of such products by examining a few representative examples.

Read more

#BDS: لاريسا صنصور: هكذا انتصرتُ على لاكوست

عكّا | «أشعر بالنصر، خصوصاً أنّ القضيّة أخذت أبعاداً كبيرة بعد تورّط شركة كبيرة بالرقابة على الفنون» تقول لاريسا صنصور لـ«الأخبار». الفنانة البصريّة الفلسطينيّة الشابّة ودّعت العام الماضي بهدف سجّلته في مرمى شركة «لاكوست» ضمن قضية شغلت الرأي العام العربي والعالمي لأيام. «هذه ليست المرة الأولى التي تمارس فيها شركة رقابة على الفنون، لكن في الحالة الفلسطينية، لا تعود القضية قضيّة حريّة تعبير فقط، بل قضية حريّة بالمطلق»، تقول. بعد أيام قليلة على رفع العلم الفلسطيني في مقر «الأونيسكو» (باريس)، تفجّرت في الصحف قضيّة إلغاء شركة «لاكوست» الفرنسية لترشيح صنصور (القدس/ لندن) لجائزة تمنحها بالتعاون مع متحف «إيليزيه/ لوزان» السويسري، بحجة أن عملها الفنّي «منحاز جداً لفلسطينيين».

إقرأ/ي المزيد