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.
In view of your response to non-Israeli activists who had asked you not to perform in Israel, we believe some points should be clarified.
Firstly, please bear in mind that Palestinian fans of your music who are living under Israeli military occupation in the occupied Palestinian territories will not be allowed to come to Tel-Aviv and enjoy your concert. In other words, your concert is scheduled to take place within an apartheid framework.
Secondly, please note that the BDS campaign is not aimed at punishing Israeli individuals. The political views of your fans in Israel are not very significant. What matters is the need to express solidarity with a Palestinian civil society call, and the need not to cross a picket line. Furthermore, performances by international artists like you are being used by the Israeli government to market Israel as a normal 'business as usual' democracy, which it is not.
Hundreds of concerts by international concerts have taken place in Israel in recent years, and they have not spawned an anti-apartheid movement. With all due respect to your tremendous musical talents, your concert is not expected to be any different. On the other hand, cancellations by international artists who have joined the BDS initiative have generated public discussion about Israel's policies and the need to change them.
Dear Philip Catherine, please join numerous artists who support the BDS call, including Elvis Costello, who explained the cancellation of his concert in Israel by the following words: "Sometimes a silence in music is better than adding to the static".
Sincerely,
Boycott! Supporting the Palestinian BDS Call from Within (BfW)