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Tuesday 25 April 2017

Radiohead urged to cancel Israel concert ‘until apartheid is over’



 - The Washington Times - Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters and dozens of musicians and performers have signed a letter urging Radiohead to cancel their upcoming performance in Israel.
“You’re listed to play Tel Aviv in July this year,” reads the letter addressed to the band’s members, posted on the Artists for Palestine U.K. website. “We’d like to ask you to think again — because by playing in Israel you’ll be playing in a state where, UN rapporteurs say, ‘a system of apartheid has been imposed on the Palestinian people.’”
The letter’s 47 signatories also include actress Julie Christie, novelist Alice Walker and South African archbishop Desmond Tutu.
“In asking you not to perform in Israel, Palestinians have appealed to you to take one small step to help pressure Israel to end its violation of basic rights and international law,” it continues. “Surely if making a stand against the politics of division, of discrimination and of hate means anything at all, it means standing against it everywhere – and that has to include what happens to Palestinians every day.
“Please do what artists did in South Africa’s era of oppression: stay away, until apartheid is over,” the letter concludes.
In a statement accompanying the letter, English director Ken Loach lamented the “damage” Radiohead could inflict on Palestinians if they move forward with their July 19 concert in Tel Aviv.

“The Palestinians’ land is being stolen, they are being oppressed in every way, their daily lives made intolerable, many are imprisoned unlawfully in Israel, including shockingly, their children,” Mr. Loach said. “I’m afraid your pious words will mean nothing if you turn your backs on the Palestinians. For their sake, and your own self-respect, please think again.’”
Radiohead, which has publicly supported Tibet’s fight for independence, has yet to comment on the letter.

It comes amid an ongoing cultural boycott against Israel by Palestinian activists.

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