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Dublin concert sees launch of ‘Irish Cultural Boycott of Israel’ pledge national |
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news report
 Thursday August 12, 2010 21:00 by Kev - IPSC culturalboycott at ipsc dot ie 01 6770253
 Over 150 creative and performing artists sign up to Boycott Israel On the afternoon of Thursday 12th August 2010, the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) officially launched the historic “Irish artists’ pledge to boycott Israel” at a lunchtime concert in Meeting House Square in Dublin. Present at the launch were 20 of the pledge’s current 150 signatories, including musicians Damien Dempsey, Donal Lunny and Eoin Dillon (Kíla), artists Robert Ballagh and Felim Egan, playwright Jimmy Murphy and actress Neilí Conroy as well as a crowd of supporters.  Pledge Signatories (L-R): Hassan Ould Moctar (musician), Philip Donnery (musician), Jimmy Murphy (playwright), Felim Egan (painter), Renate Debrun (artist), Sami Moukkadem (musician, writer), Rhona Clarke (composer), Dave Lordan (poet), Raymond Deane (com The pledge, described by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) as "a ground-breaking initiative", has now been signed by over 150 Irish creative and performing artists including Christy Moore, Andy Irvine, Seamus Deane, Sinéad Cusack, Jimmy MacCarthy, Margaretta Darcy and Conor Kostick. It commits signatories to boycotting the Israeli state under it respects international law, and reads as follows: "In response to the call from Palestinian civil society for a cultural boycott of Israel, we pledge not to avail of any invitation to perform or exhibit in Israel, nor to accept any funding from any institution linked to the government of Israel, until such time as Israel complies with international law and universal principles of human rights." Speaking about his support for the pledge, Kíla’s uilleann piper Eoin Dillon who, along with jazz guitarist Sami Moukaddem, played his brand new song Rachel Corrie, said: “I encourage all Irish artists to take this pledge and thereby honour not only their own dignity but more importantly, the dignity of the Palestinian people.” Eoin's brother Shane was kidnapped by Israeli commandos on May 31st this year when he was first mate on board the Challenger 1 which was part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. The concert also saw performances by Sami Moukaddem, Naisrín and Zahrah Elsafty (who preformed the Palestinian song La Ahada Yalem), and Treasa Ní Cheannabháin who along with her daughters performed her own song An dTiocfása Liomsa (Amhrán Ghaza). IPSC Cultural Boycott Officer and coordinator of the pledge Dr. Raymond Deane, himself a renowned classical composer, said: “These artists are aware of the Israeli Foreign Ministry's statement in 2005 that “We see culture as a propaganda tool of the first rank, and ... do not differentiate between propaganda and culture.” These artists refuse to allow their art to be exploited by an apartheid state that disregards international law and universal principles of human rights, but look forward to the day when normal cultural relations can be re-established with an Israel that fully complies with such laws and principles.” Dr. Deane continued: “Culture cannot stand aloof from politics. Whether or not art is 'above politics', its presentation and representation in the real world can all too easily be hijacked by oppressive states. With this pledge, Irish artists have an opportunity to distance themselves from such exploitation, and to take a non-violent stand on behalf of the oppressed Palestinian people. Indeed, we have set an example here today that will be followed in every part of the world by thousands of artists who will refuse to allow themselves to be used as propaganda tools by the Israeli apartheid state.” Wrapping up the concert, IPSC National Chairperson Freda Hughes thanked all those who have thus far signed the pledge, and said: “All of these artists have shown they are people of principle and conviction. Of course, one does not have to be an artist to take a stand against Israeli apartheid. Every single one of us can aid the Palestinian people in their struggle for human, civil, political and national rights by getting involved in the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel. BDS is a campaign of which this pledge is one important facet, but there are many more avenues that people from all walks of life can get involved in, from consumer and academic boycotts to pressuring the government to take meaningful action. This is what Palestinian civil society has asked us to do, and the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign is proud to have been at the forefront of this campaign since the BDS call went out in 2005.” A full – and regularly updated - list of the signatories to the boycott pledge can be viewed online at http://www.ipsc.ie/pledge - If you are an Irish artist or an artist based in Ireland and would like to add your signature, please contact culturalboycott [at] ipsc.ie The full PACBI statement of endorsement can be read at http://ipsc.ie/pledge/#2 This launch comes two weeks to the day after the IPSC handed in over 6,000 signatures calling for Dunnes Stores to refuse to stock Israeli products at the head office of Dunnes - report here: http://www.indymedia.ie/article/97316
Caption: Video Id: fEtHH-YOHRE Type: Youtube Video 
Caption: Video Id: MlHOHEVQFpg Type: Youtube Video 
Caption: Video Id: eCQPsLBuBpc Type: Youtube Video |
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Comments (12 of 12)
Jump To Comment: 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1We approach the dark heart of the matter. Public lands, Frank?
May we take it you are ready to speak on the matter?
How exclusive is YOUR public?
When will you stop supporting those private interests who bulldoze the public off the public land in the name of the public ?
Methinks, the Zionist doth protest too much.
Shalom.
If you want to feel good by blaming Israel for not being democratic enough you can hardly object to others casting your own Irish faults in your own teeth.
The psychology of the anti-Israel lobby finally appears to be similar to the psychology of the cautionary fairy tale in that nobody dares attack "Mother" who is God on Earth to most; but all motherly errrors and faults can be attacked as "wicked" Stepmother.
If you want to help the Palestine Arabs - on both sides of the Green Line - take a cue from Michael Collins and sign off a treaty on UN two state policy since 1947; and get on with the rest of everybody's life.
If you are just out to find excitement in a life in the sticks of this World there are more educational and emotionally rounded diversions than telling lies by half truths about far away peoples about whom you know very little.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=196_1254515753&c=1
also YOU, Hasbara-Bot #489213CF (a.k.a 'Frank' Adam')
"The Handbook of Paid Zionist Shills"- http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=196_1254515753&c=1
This is YOU, to a 'T', Hasbara-Bot #489213CF (a.k.a 'Frank Adam') just in case you were wondering
but this is a different issue. None of the irish county councils are bulldozing villages of impoverished and excuded minorities, not even of the Travellers any more, though that is still unfinished business too.
What does Ireland do with breaches of planning?
Is there not a moment when appeals are exhausted and bailiffs move in?
Is not the Irish Offences Against the State Act even nastier than some of the old British coercion acts and did not Boer South Africa cast it in the teetth of Irish critics?
Has the European Declaration of Human Rights been integrated into Irish law?
Demolition of of five shops (and their merchandise) on the road linking Qalqilia to Nablus yesterday, mission creep in east Jerusalem, demolition of Beduin villages in Negev, supression of anti-wall protests and moves by the state attorney's office to get the police to initiate an investigation into writer and editor Ilana Hammerman's taking three Palestinian women through checkpoints for a day at the beach.Ta to Aletho News.
Boycott IS the message to the Israeli people. It echoes blockade.
The state mouthpieces continually trumpet Israel's 'democratic' credentials. It is not a message to be delivered in cultural sanctums where it can be relegated to the arts page. It is a matter of elevating the issue not just to the Knesset, but to our own populations, so they notice the implications of neglecting their democratic responsibilities. The apathy and inertia of the majority, manipulated into collaboration, are always the tools of fascism, whatever its political fig leafs.
If Michael Martin had a grain of gumption we could leave it to the local management, it being their rightful responsibility. But they're too busy pursuing their careers.
The only way I might condone a gig in Israel would be if all the artists got together for a gig in Jerusalem and when they turned up just showed footage and soundtrack of Cast Lead till the show was stopped. These actions are in support of the growing number of Israelis critical of the trending deterioration of all of our politics into a blatant 'banality' of remote controlled brutality.
Hey where is Bonehead, the dinosaur from U2, well known big mouth Jewish star Geldof and the rest of the cabal of international profi big wig bleeding hearts always intent on snuffing out poverty, halitosis, bad weather and such crap but never ever any where to be found when evil has to be confronted? These priks are into one thing and that is the bottom line down at Forbes and business as usual.
Where are they...same place as always right up front with the enemy spouting their same jaded pack of lies and bulls#it. Come out Bonehead and Bob and bite the bullet if you have the balls to stand and be counted.
Nah didn't think so. As Bonehead put it to Bush the lesser at the Davos capitalist swine fest...."Brand ameriKa WE got a problem." He sure got that right the tired old dinosaur!
Boycott the mark of the beast
Barcode 729
BDS all the way until the beast of y´xion breaks.
You are well motivated but are taking completely the wrong approach. The people of Israel are not to blame for the crimes of their government and military. I see no problem whatsoever in playing concerts in Israel, exhibiting art or reciting poetry to an Israeli audience, or sharing academic research and knowledge with Israeli based academics. You need to win hearts and minds among the Israeli people against their government. Having this type of boycott can isolate your message. Boycott military trade with Israel not culture and dialogue between peoples.
Another amazing initiative. Looks like Ireland is going to make to anti-Apartheid history once again
Below is the final video from the event - and also I notice that there appears to be a character limit for photo captions, so here is the full list of those pictured in the first image:
Pledge Signatories (L-R): Hassan Ould Moctar (musician), Philip Donnery (musician), Jimmy Murphy (playwright), Felim Egan (painter), Renate Debrun (artist), Sami Moukkadem (musician, writer), Rhona Clarke (composer), Dave Lordan (poet), Raymond Deane (composer), Stephen Rothschild (artist), Steve Woods (film-maker), Bobby Ballagh (artist), Deirdre Murphy (dancer), Donal Lunny (musician), Damien Dempsey (singer), Trevor Knight (musician), Eoin Dillon (ceoltóir), Dearbhla Glynn (film-maker), Neilí Conroy (actor), Freda Hughes (IPSC chairperson)
Caption: Video Id: dHfRrmS02nw Type: Youtube Video
Treasa Ní Cheannabháin, Naisrín & Zahrah Elsafty - "An dTiocfása Liomsa [Amhrán Ghaza]" (live)