WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION TRIES TO LEGITIMIZE CONFERENCE HELD IN ISRAEL
On its second day, WHO conference was relocated to Tel-Aviv in an attempt to legitimize it
Press Release
Tel-Aviv, December 1st, 2011
Jerusalem
28th November 2011
Boycott! Supporting the Palestinian BDS call from within
(Boycott from Within)
http://boycottisrael.info
This morning a group of Palestinians and Israeli activists held a protest action in front of the Inbal hotel where the WHO (World Health Organization) held their first 'Health 2020 – The New European Policy for Health' conference [1 ].
16/11/11
Press release
Boycott! Supporting the Palestinian BDS call from within(Boycott from Within)
http://boycottisrael.info/
Tonight (16/11) in Tel Aviv, Israeli and international BDS supporters spent an hour standing outside the press conference held by the "Creative Coalition" Hollywood actors. The event, which was co-ordinated by AIPAC, took place at the Dan Intercontinental hotel. The group held banners, which read "No Culture in Whitewashing Apartheid" and "Shame On You, Hollywood", in order to remind the actors that their visit and press-conference are part of the Hasbara (Israel advocacy) mission. They also reminded them of the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israeli policies of colonialization, occupation and apartheid, which they were breeching.
The below letter was published on November 17, 2011 in response to media reports that suggest Lady Gaga went on and scheduled a performance in Israel on summer 2012
May 4, 2011
Dear Lady Gaga,
We are a group of about 250 Israeli citizens who support the human rights-based Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) [1]. We learned through the media that Israeli producers try to lure you into performing this summer in Israel, thus undermining a growing international movement to end Israel's impunity and promote a just solution that respects human rights and international law in Palestine\Israel. We therefore would like to urge you not to perform in Israel at this time.
About a year ago Palestinian demonstrators in Hebron (Al-Khalil) danced to your song [2], “Poker Face”, to counter Israeli propaganda, video-clipped in their own forcefully closed and evacuated Shuhada street. In this area Israel dispossessed tens of thousands of people from their homes to allow for a Jews-only settlement of a few hundreds. The dance was held in front of the gates of that same closed street. The song's choice was a cry for the world to stop buying into Israel's branding of itself as “advanced” and “enlightened”, a branding which is maintained also by international performances in Israel. Just a few weeks after that dance, the Israeli army locked down adjacent shops [3], collectively punishing Palestinian shopkeepers in the Old City. It also banned the peaceful demonstrations from the area. The demonstrations are led by a local youth group [4] which is committed to complete non-violence.
by Adam Horowitz
source: http://mondoweiss.net/2011/11/aipac-hollywood-junket-to-israel-meets-protest.html
An appeal from Israeli citizens to Greek/Turkish musicians scheduled to perform at the Jerusalem OudFestival, November 2011
Dear Greek/Turkish musicians,
We are a group of Israelicitizens who support the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and sanctions(BDS) on Israel until it complies with international law and human-rightsvalues. [1] We are sure that you are talented musicians, and we would love theopportunity to attend your show, but at this time we would like to ask you toreconsider your planned performances in Israel!
Dear Metal Bands,
We are a group of Israeli citizens who support the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS). We oppose our government's policies of racism, apartheid and occupation, and we strongly believe that without international pressure, it will be almost impossible to reverse these policies.
Israel's attempts to mask systematic human-rights abuses and decades-long oppression against the Palestinians, largely rely on its ability to maintain a progressive and democratic image in the eyes of the international community. It often promotes itself as "the only Democracy in the Middle East". However, Israel's apartheid policies are inherent even in something as seemingly light-hearted and joyous as a music show: Palestinian fans of your music living in the West Bank, in a land governed by Israel, are under martial-law and will not be permitted to come to Tel Aviv and enjoy your performance.
11 September 2011
International singer and songwriter Natacha Atlas cancelled her planned concert in Israel and announced Israel boycott.
Dear Natacha,
We are a group of Israeli citizens and residents who support the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS). We are writing to congratulate you on your decision to make a brave act and cancel your scheduled concert in Israel.
Dear Philip Catherine,
We are a group of Israeli citizens who support the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS). We oppose our government's policies of racism, apartheid and occupation, and we strongly believe that without international pressure, it will be almost impossible to reverse these policies.
Dear Marianne Faithfull,
“What are you fighting for
It’s not my security
It’s just an old war
Not even a cold war
Lose your father, your husband
Your mother, your children
What are you dying for
It’s not my reality
It’s just an old war
Not even a cold war”
~ Broken English
