Newsletter Archive:.


  September 2011 www.pacbi.org  
 

PACBI Salutes Iain EWOK Robinson's Principled Stance

PACBI salutes the South African hip-hop performer Iain EWOK Robinson, for his recent decision to cancel his participation in the Hilton Arts Festival. In his letter to the festival organizers, Iain EWOK Robinson noted that "As a signatory of the South African Artists Against Apartheid declaration (www.southafricanartistsagainstapartheid.com), in support of the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions of the Apartheid Israeli Government, I cannot in good conscience willingly participate in any event that enjoys the support and patronage of the Israeli Government in any form. I believe that this is an endorsement of the criminal acts of oppression and human rights abuses consistently perpetrated by this entity against the Palestinian people."





"Queer Lisboa" drops Israel sponsorship following boycott

Israel uses queer events to "pinkwash" apartheid, diverting attention from its oppression of Palestinians as well as the real homophobia confronted by the LGBT community inside Israel and by lesbian or gay Palestinians living under a brutal military occupation.



Gaza to Julio Iglesias: Don’t Entertain Apartheid Again!

If you adhere to the boycott principles, we will remember you fondly as someone who stood on the right side of history when we reach our goals, goals of equal rights, cherished by the world but deprived from us. Don’t turn your back on "the Guernica of our time!"



Call to Action: Boycott the Jerusalem String Quartet North America Tour!

The Jerusalem String Quartet is embarking on a North American tour from October 2-16, 2011. USACBI is calling for boycotts and protests at all of its performance locations during its tour. Join a local protest or organize your local action – contact us at usacbi@usacbi.org!

 



PACBI Editorial

Boycott the Haifa International Film Festival

The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) appeals to all international artists of conscience to withdraw their participation from the Haifa International Film Festival, whether through direct attendance or by showcasing their films, and thus, to deny the festival the international legitimacy it seeks through such participation.

PACBI calls on these international artists to refrain from showing their films or accepting awards at the festival. Doing otherwise would inadvertently lend a stamp of approval to Israeli policies of colonialism, apartheid and occupation, especially given the festival’s ties to the Haifa city government and the larger Israeli establishment, both of which use this as an opportunity to rebrand Israel as a normal country by showing its "prettier face"--its vibrant cultural and artistic community. Israel, however, is not a normal country and should not be admitted into the global cultural arena until it respects international law and recognizes the Palestinian people’s right to freedom, equality and justice.

A former deputy director general of the Israeli foreign ministry, Nissim Ben-Sheetrit, explained upon launching the Brand Israel campaign in 2005: "We are seeing culture as a hasbara [propaganda] tool of the first rank, and I do not differentiate between hasbara and culture."



 
Natacha Atlas announces Israel boycott

International singer and songwriter Natacha Atlas has announced publicly canceling a planned concert in Israel and will boycott the country "until this systemised apartheid is abolished once and for all."

 
Beethovians for Boycotting Israel

A new vocal ensemble, Beethovians for Boycotting Israel (BBI), interrupted an Israel Philharmonic Orchestra concert at Royal Albert Hall singing "Ode to Boycott" (to the tune of "Ode to Joy").

 
Complicity or Solidarity? You have a choice!

BDS Switzerland along with their partners appeal to the participants of the "Swiss Season" in Israel to stand in solidarity with Palestinians struggling for freedom, equality and justice.

 
 
  Risala in Arabic means mission, message or letter pacbi@pacbi.org