BEIRUT: The U.S. campaign for Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel has asked American singer Moby to cancel his concert in Israel which is scheduled for July 12, urging him to denounce war and only make love.
“Come to Lebanon on July 5, but, please, in honor of Herman Melville’s recognition of the rights of and respect for the indigenous, and in honor of the 2005 call from Palestinian Civil Society … please do not go to Israel on July 12,” the open letter posted on the organization’s website said.
The letter asked Moby to come to Lebanon and witness the oppression Lebanese had endured from Israel and to “unlearn the myths Israel propagates.”
“Come to Lebanon on July 5
ReplyDeleteOh yes, because we all know how well Lebanon has treated its Palestinian population! Oh please.
<span>Yes good idea! Boycott Lebanon! Let's also boycott the US, the closest thing to being an enemy of the Palestinian people by totally siding with Israel, strengthening the oiccupation by blocking/vetoeing every resolution against Israel at the UN! Why not?</span>
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand morality, on the other money. What to do, Moby, what to do? (I think I know the answer.)
ReplyDeleteMerely pointing out the hypocrisy, Tgia. The Arab world is rather good at whinging about the hypocrisy of the West, but rarely looks at its own hypocrisy. One of the things that always surprised me when traveling in the Middle East was the strangely hostile attitudes toward the actual Palestinians living there. I am sure you do not need me to remind you of how Palestinian refugees are treated in many Arab countries?
ReplyDeleteAs for boycotting the U.S., you are right. They should!!!!!! IMO, my country has no business mediating anything because of its lopsided support for everything Israel does.
BUT, I will not hold my breath waiting for the boycott of the U.S. That might be a bit problematic and require a degree of sacrifice and adherence to convictions and principles that many would find a bit harder than boycotting Shakira or an Israeli brand of hummus.
... and Jello Biafra, Anarchists for Apartheid.
ReplyDelete<span>I really don't get it vza!! You condemn if the Palestinian use violence and you condemn when they use non-violent means such as BDS! What exactly do you want them to do?</span>
ReplyDeleteJello just cancelled. Anarchists for Apartheid? Is this a band? Never heard of them!
ReplyDeletevza is here for distraction purposes only , not really for any useful or intelligent debate on any issue posted . any post that is critical of either Israel or the US will invoke such comments , but this is becoming quite tedious and boring not to mention how obvious it is. So now there is a new ME expert on the block reminding us Arabs of our hypocrisy , really telling it as it is , after all she’s being there ! what’s the going rate now to become an ME expert ( 1,2 0r 3 visits ) ? .Why don’t you spare us your thorough knowledge of the ME, it takes more than talking to a Taxi driver in Syria or someone else in Lebanon . I find it quite arrogant of you that you accuse Lebanese or Arabs collectively of discriminating against Palestinians
ReplyDeleteYou have to understand the obvious ,that Lebanese like other Arabs fully support and sympathise with the Palestinians , the Arab spring in many ways is about Palestinians , those who discriminate against them are the departing rulers and regimes that were planted by the US. There is more hypocrisy in the US than the entire world .
Furthermore , Please do not take things out of context. the article mention “Come to Lebanon “ and "<span>The letter asked Moby to come to Lebanon and witness the oppression Lebanese had endured from Israel and to “unlearn the myths Israel propagates.” . It’s obvious the first “ Come to Lebanon is in reference to the latter . </span>
ReplyDeleteIs there no room for discussion? If you recall, it has always been my opinion that artists should be left out of this. Those are the only examples I have expressed any opposition to.
ReplyDeleteAnd please understand that when I express these dissenting opinions, they are not directed at you personally. I do not doubt your sincerity.
Its all just discussion anyway, since what I think about this issue does not matter one whit! I do, however, have some very serious questions about some who are involved and just what their agenda really is.
In the post above, about Jello Biafra, this line was in the statement:
Biafra’s decision to cancel the Tel Aviv gig is the right one, but he still seems under the impression that the boycott is a fringe movement that he has the right to ignore.
Ah, excuse me, but he has the RIGHT to do so, and no "movement" can deny him that right. It is this sort of language that crops up that is very troubling to me. It does not inspire confidence that the people behind this are really interested in my notion of what freedom is.
<span>I do, however, have some very serious questions about some who are involved and just what their agenda really is.</span>
ReplyDeleteWhat is their real agenda, that is not stated or confessed? Maybe you know something we don't? Is it not Palestinian civil society who started the BDS movement and called upon all to support it as it became obvious that Israel need to feel pressure? Please tell!
<span>So much time spent finnicking about people's real agenda, whether behind the BDS or the flotilla to Gaza, and meanwhile in the Occupied territories it's build build build and theft galore!
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I never claimed to be an expert vaa. I am sure most sympathize, but I heard what I heard....often and from ordinary people.
ReplyDeleteI hope you aren't really saying that only those who agree with you should make comments on this subject?
<span> any post that is critical of either Israel or the US will invoke such comments </span>
I really do not think you can back that one up, vaa.
<span>Come to Lebanon </span><span></span>
I understood what the context was.
The rest of your comment about planted regimes,etc. etc., is basically a depiction of the Arabs as passive victims with no ability to influence any change. Sorry, don't buy it. The Arab Spring proved that regimes supposedly propped up by the U.S. could be toppled. That was what was so refreshing about it all: No excuses. They focused on the essentials and They just did it!
<span>There is more hypocrisy in the US than the entire world</span>
In our foreign policies, certainly! In the U.S. as a whole? no more than any other country. Are you basing that on what, 1,2, or 3 visits? But If it makes you feel good to think so, hey! I will not accuse you of being arrogant! It is your right to criticize.
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Yes, put that way, it seems unimportant, but I do not trust any of the Hamas or Brotherhood mentality involved.
ReplyDeleteI shall end this discussion. Perhaps,I should not comment on any of this. Very depressing.
Hamas and the MB has absolutely nothing, nothing to do with BDS! As I said, it's an initiative of the civil society conducted by Mustapha Batgouthi among many others.
ReplyDeleteAnd just because Hamas amd the MB support something doesn't mean that thing is necessarily bad! Many Israeli academics are supporting BDS and are adamant it's the only action likely to make Israel change course.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are right about that. I admire Dr. Barghouti a great deal. I would trust him.
ReplyDelete<span> M. Bargouthi is the chief promoter of the BDS movement. Here:--
ReplyDeleteMustafa Barghouti, BDS leader awarded France's highest honour (1)
http://philosemitism.blogspot.com/2010/11/mustafa-barghouti-bds-leader-awarded.html</span>