NEW YORK,
November 19, 2014 (WAFA) - Demonstrators Tuesday
evening protested the performance of Israeli musician Idan Raichel in
front of Symphony Space in New York (PHOTOS) for his role as
a cultural ambassador for Israel who provides “uncritical support for the
Israeli military and government, said Adalah-NY, the New York Campaign for
Boycott of Israel, in a
Raichel is a vocal supporter of
Israel’s military, and upon arriving in the US for his tour, his first stop
was a gala fundraiser for the Israeli
military. He has endorsed right-wing organization Thank Israeli Soldiers and provided morale-boosting
entertainment for the Israeli army before, during, and after its August 2014 attack on Gaza, which killed over 2100
Palestinians, including 500 children.
Tuesday’s protest is a part of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
(BDS) movement, which
aims to pressure Israel to end its human rights abuses and is inspired by the
international boycott campaign that helped to abolish apartheid in South
Africa. As part of the boycott campaign a growing number of cultural figures have refused to perform in Israel,
including Elvis Costello, Roger Waters, Carlos Santana and Cassandra Wilson.
Last Wednesday, Israeli dance company Batsheva faced protests at its November 12thperformance at Brooklyn Academy of Music.
With creative signs, songs, poetry,
dance and hip-hop performances, over 60 New Yorkers braved the sub-freezing
temperatures to highlight the contradiction between Raichel’s self-image as a
representative of a “tolerant, multi-ethnic Israel”
and his role as a cultural ambassador for Israel and its brutal policies toward
Palestinians.
Raichel’s image as a musician who crosses cultural boundaries
has made him an important cultural ambassador for Israel in its rebranding campaign.
Israeli Foreign Ministry official Andy David said of Raichel: “I think Idan is
maybe the best ambassador that Israel has through his music and
his inclusiveness.”
Raichel has affirmed his role in
drumming up support for the Israeli government, saying, “I believe that
our role as artists is to enlist in the Israeli propaganda campaign [Hasbara].”
Along with outrage at Israel's most recent and brutal attack on
Gaza last summer has come an explosion of activism in the artistic community. Tuesday night's demonstration, organized by
Adalah-NY, mobilized New York City cultural workers in support of the campaign
for the cultural boycott of Israel. The protest was endorsed by a number of
human rights and Palestine solidarity organizations.
Concertgoers waiting in line to see Idan Raichel perform with
Malian artist Vieux Farka Touré caught performances by the Columbia Palestinian
Dabke Brigade, readings of Palestinian poetry underscored by jazz piano, and
messages of solidarity from rappers Prince Akeem and Division X. Division X
stressed that 'From Ferguson to Palestine, our lives matter.'
Passersby and concertgoers alike engaged in conversation with leaf letters who
provided the curious with background on Raichel as well as the boycott
campaign.
After learning about Raichel's record on human rights, two
would-be concertgoers told Adalah-NY members they had decided not to attend.
Johanna, a New Yorker who is also a World Music Institute member, said,
'Now that I see what he said and what his attitude is towards Palestine
and to peace in the Middle East, I'm not going to the concert,' adding
that she would try to talk to World Music Institute organizers.
Riham Barghouti of Adalah-NY summed up the demonstration's
message: 'We see what Israel is doing and neither Batsheva nor Idan
Raichel nor any other Israeli cultural institution can hide that.'
Some concertgoers were avid
supporters of the Israeli government and attempted to drown out performers with
taunts, calling demonstrators 'murderers,' 'terrorists,'
and 'old hippies.' One man struck a woman passing out Adalah-NY
leaflets in the ribs with his elbow. There was also a small
counter-demonstration featuring Israeli flags and nationalist songs.
The concert was presented by the World Music
Institute (WMI), and in a public letter over 4,000 individuals and 50 groups
from around the world called on WMI to cancel the performance. Signatories
include filmmaker and honorary WMI board member Mira Nair; Grammy-nominated
Haitian band Boukman Eksperyans, who will be presented by WMI in the spring;
Palestinian American oud virtuoso Simon Shaheen, also a past WMI performer; and
award-winning playwright Naomi Wallace. Human rights activists delivered the letter to WMI on November 4 and briefly met
with staff. According to New York Jewish Week,
WMI has refused to comment on the letter.
