We are pleased to report that our petition has now hit the symbolic figure of 100 signatures, showing that concerned fans are still keen to show their support even after the Israel concert went ahead.
Leonard Cohen's manager Robert Kory announced that the Tel Aviv show last week raised over $2m for local groups working for peace and coexistence, including the Parents Circle, reports Bloomberg. Cohen is quoted saying the show represented a "triumph over the inclination of the heart to despair, revenge and hatred."
Talking of Cohen quotes, band member Dino Soldo tweeted after the show that Leonard spoke "the most moving words on suffering I've heard, EVER." If anybody has a transcription of what Leonard said, we would love to hear them.
Further evidence that the show may have had positive effects comes in the form of this article by the Fox News Middle East producer Yonat Frilling, who says that despite the fact she "thrives on cynicism" the concert made her feel as if peace really was possible... albeit only for the three hour duration of the show.
Meanwhile, Robert Kory claims in an interview with Forward that it was some UK academics who scuppered the Ramallah show, not the Palestinian hosts as was originally reported in reputable sources such as the Guardian. "I am an American, I support free speech," Kory is quoted. "They are British academics and I don’t know, they’re ‘right’… I don’t want to name names but there are those in the academic community who suppress speech because they know what’s right."
Kory may be Leonard's financial saviour and we thank him for that but he sure has a tendency to fall back on generalisations about "free speech" when people disagree with him. The Leonard Cohen Boycott Israel Campaign was started by British, Irish and American fans of Cohen and if none of those nations supported free speech then we wouldn't even have been able to put up this blog.
Finally, one of the founders of the Leonard Cohen Boycott Israel Campaign blogged on the night of the show about why he opposed the concert. The post immediately drew comments from both sides of the argument.
Monday, 28 September 2009
Thursday, 24 September 2009
A message from the Leonard Cohen Boycott Israel campaign
Well the day has arrived! Tonight despite all our efforts and the efforts of many other groups and individuals, Leonard Cohen will perform his concert in Tel Aviv. Thanks to all who signed the petition and commented on the blogs. We cannot stop the concert at this late stage obviously, but think it still worthwhile to ask you to sign the petition if you haven't done so yet and to continue to circulate it for a while in order to provide a place where people can voice their concern and disaproval.
It is the fact we think that it is due to his integrity and the deep respect and affection in which Leonard is held, that makes it all the more disappointing that he has chosen to ignore the appeals to him on this issue. That however is his choice and it does seem that he sincerely believes it to be the right thing to do. Obviously we can now only accept that decision.
As you probably know Leonard was stricken with a bout of illness recently and had to come off stage at Valencia and discontinue the performance after collapsing. Happily he has recovered and is said to be fit and well. I'm sure, despite our differences with him and his management, we all wish him continuing good health and when this marathon tour finally comes to an end in the U.S. that he can retire and enjoy a long and full life.
The proceeds of tonight's concert will go to charity, in particular to a worthy organisation called The Parents Circle which is both a support group for parents who have lost children to the violence in both Israel and Palestine and a peace and reconciliation group which connects people on both sides of the divide. A very worthwhile cause, ultimately though no matter how good the intentions of the people involved, and they certainly are good, there can be no real and lasting peace for everyone and justice for the Palestinians until all the walls, real and metaphorical, are torn down and the Palestinians can be assured of their place alongside the Israelis with all their lands restored to them. Therefore a continuing international boycott of Israel is unfortunately necessary.
It is the fact we think that it is due to his integrity and the deep respect and affection in which Leonard is held, that makes it all the more disappointing that he has chosen to ignore the appeals to him on this issue. That however is his choice and it does seem that he sincerely believes it to be the right thing to do. Obviously we can now only accept that decision.
As you probably know Leonard was stricken with a bout of illness recently and had to come off stage at Valencia and discontinue the performance after collapsing. Happily he has recovered and is said to be fit and well. I'm sure, despite our differences with him and his management, we all wish him continuing good health and when this marathon tour finally comes to an end in the U.S. that he can retire and enjoy a long and full life.
The proceeds of tonight's concert will go to charity, in particular to a worthy organisation called The Parents Circle which is both a support group for parents who have lost children to the violence in both Israel and Palestine and a peace and reconciliation group which connects people on both sides of the divide. A very worthwhile cause, ultimately though no matter how good the intentions of the people involved, and they certainly are good, there can be no real and lasting peace for everyone and justice for the Palestinians until all the walls, real and metaphorical, are torn down and the Palestinians can be assured of their place alongside the Israelis with all their lands restored to them. Therefore a continuing international boycott of Israel is unfortunately necessary.
The New York Times has published an informative but bland article on the concert today at www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/music/24cohenhtml?_r=1
Watch this space and presumably many other spaces for reports and reviews of the concert.
Please post up your own reviews and opinions on the concert too.
Thank-you.
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Amnesty International pulls out of Cohen concert
Amnesty International has announced it was pulling out of its involvement with Leonard Cohen's concert in Tel Aviv. The announcement comes in the wake of many vociferous protests from around the world, including from its own members. This is a sensible move, but also a self-preserving one since it was becoming likely that it would lose support and members if it persisted with its administration of the concert funds and its partnership with the notorious Discount Bank. Link to Amnesty's statement at the bottom of this article.
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/08/18/18616483.php
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/08/18/18616483.php
Sunday, 9 August 2009
A Plea to Leonard Cohen
Here is an interesting point of view from someone who having been conflicted by the boycott appeal regarding asking Leonard Cohen not to perform in Israel finally came to the regretful decision that despite his deep affection and respect for Cohen, the right thing to do in the end was to add his voice to the general appeal and register his support for the boycott. I'm sure many people who are fans of Leonard Cohen, but dismayed by his decision to play Israel, will relate to this.
http://www.counterpunch.org/aloni08032009.html
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Tel Aviv concert sells out
All 47,000 tickets for Leonard Cohen's Tel Aviv concert sold out within hours of going on sale, according to reports.
Saturday, 1 August 2009
NYCBI condemns Amnesty over Leonard Cohen Israel support
The New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel has written an open letter to Amnesty International calling on the human rights organisation to withdraw its support for Leonard Cohen's planned Tel Aviv concert, which it has been reported will benefit Palestine-friendly charities.
Among NYCBI's claims is that "the only Palestinian organization falsely reported in the Jerusalem Post article as being a partner in this project, the Palestinian Happy Child Center [PHCC], has confirmed that it is not taking part." LCBI could not however find a website for PHCC or any news coverage supporting this claim.
Among NYCBI's claims is that "the only Palestinian organization falsely reported in the Jerusalem Post article as being a partner in this project, the Palestinian Happy Child Center [PHCC], has confirmed that it is not taking part." LCBI could not however find a website for PHCC or any news coverage supporting this claim.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Tel Aviv concert to go ahead and benefit pro-peace groups - reports
While there is still no official word from the Cohen camp, Leonard is reportedly donating 100% of the proceeds of his concert in Tel Aviv to various pro-Palestinian and pro-peace organisations.
What do you think? A good move, or will nothing short of a full boycott suffice? Use the blog comments facility, or discuss this on the Facebook group.
What do you think? A good move, or will nothing short of a full boycott suffice? Use the blog comments facility, or discuss this on the Facebook group.
Monday, 20 July 2009
Protests outside Dublin concerts
Members of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign held a protest against Leonard Cohen's plans to play in Israel outside the Dublin O2 venue where Leonard is playing his latest shows in Ireland, according to today's Irish Times.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
West Bank concert cancelled - reports
Leonard Cohen's proposed concert in Ramallah has been cancelled, according to various news sources in the last few days, most recently today's Guardian. "The Ramallah date was added allegedly in response to pro-Palestinian campaigners who had tried to dissuade Cohen from appearing in Israel," runs the report. "Now Cohen's Palestinian hosts have cancelled the West Bank concert, amid claims that the planned gig was a hollow attempt to 'balance' performances." PACBI's statement says "Ramallah will not receive Cohen as long as he is intent on whitewashing Israel's colonial apartheid regime by performing in Israel."
Here at LCBI we do feel this is a missed opportunity on Ramallah's part and hope they reconsider.
Both shows meanwhile are still unlisted on Cohen's official tour schedule, and the Cohen forum thread which has promised a "big announcement" about this for the past three weeks has been updated only to say that the announcement has been delayed, and won't appear in the first half of July.
In other news, our petition asking Leonard not to perform in Israel now has 83 signatures, and the Leonard Cohen Boycott Israel Facebook group has risen to 61 members.
Here at LCBI we do feel this is a missed opportunity on Ramallah's part and hope they reconsider.
Both shows meanwhile are still unlisted on Cohen's official tour schedule, and the Cohen forum thread which has promised a "big announcement" about this for the past three weeks has been updated only to say that the announcement has been delayed, and won't appear in the first half of July.
In other news, our petition asking Leonard not to perform in Israel now has 83 signatures, and the Leonard Cohen Boycott Israel Facebook group has risen to 61 members.
Friday, 26 June 2009
Concerts in Israel and West Bank?
According to this article in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Leonard Cohen will be performing at Ramat Gan Stadium near Tel Aviv on September 24 and also at the Cultural Palace in the Palestinian city of Ramallah on September 26.
We welcome the news of the Ramallah concert as a positive development and await more specific information next week.
Major announcement coming next week
The webmaster of the Leonard Cohen Files says there will be an important announcement next week regarding the concert in Tel Aviv. Check here for details.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Tel Aviv show pulled from Leonard Cohen's tour itinerary
In the last 24 hours Leonard's European tour itinerary has stopped listing the Tel Aviv show. (Until 22nd June it was at the bottom of that list as the last date on the tour, below the Barcelona gig on 21st September.)
The leonardcohen.com webmaster notes on the discussion forum that AEG Live requested him to remove the date without giving a reason.
Another moderator of the group points out that dates have disappeared and reappeared before, so it could just be temporary.
Certainly we would hope that if the show had been cancelled because of the growing opposition to it, there would be some kind of announcement from the Cohen camp to that effect.
In the meantime watch this space...
The leonardcohen.com webmaster notes on the discussion forum that AEG Live requested him to remove the date without giving a reason.
Another moderator of the group points out that dates have disappeared and reappeared before, so it could just be temporary.
Certainly we would hope that if the show had been cancelled because of the growing opposition to it, there would be some kind of announcement from the Cohen camp to that effect.
In the meantime watch this space...
Alexei Sayle's letter to Leonard Cohen
British (and Jewish) comedian Alexei Sayle has recorded this semi-musical message appealing directly to Leonard to boycott Tel Aviv:
Just in case you need a reminder of why we're running this campaign
Some people's memories do seem short, but just a few months ago Israeli forces launched a ferocious attack on Gaza, killing and injuring hundreds of civilians including many children. This Guardian blog has the details, while an article by Avi Shlaim eloquently explains how Israel brought Gaza to the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.
Leonard Cohen Boycott Israel petition hits 50 signatures!
Our petition asking Leonard Cohen not to play his proposed concert in Tel Aviv hit 50 signatures yesterday, and in the hours since then a further six people have signed to register their support.
One of the recent signatories is Ruth Tenne, whose own open letter to Leonard we quoted when we wrote to him earlier this month.
Meanwhile the Facebook group has risen from two to 16 members in the past few days, and the Twitter feed is being followed by 10 people including Avaaz.org and Yoko Ono.
We need more signatures and followers though, so if you haven't already signed, please do so, and if you have done, please let others know about the campaign, whether they are a fan of Leonard's or just oppose Israel's policy in Gaza.
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Saturday, 20 June 2009
40 signatures to the Leonard Cohen Boycott Israel petition!
Since posting yesterday, we've had 10 more signatures: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/appeal-to-leonard-cohen-not-to-perform-in-israel/signatures.html
You can also read comments the signatories have posted in a pop-up box by hovering your mouse over the 'view' link to the right of the person's name and other details. These should appear automatically although you might find you have to click on the 'view' link as well.
Thanks for your continued support and keep signing!
You can also read comments the signatories have posted in a pop-up box by hovering your mouse over the 'view' link to the right of the person's name and other details. These should appear automatically although you might find you have to click on the 'view' link as well.
Thanks for your continued support and keep signing!
Friday, 19 June 2009
Join the LCBI Campaign group on Facebook
There is now a Facebook group for the Leonard Cohen Boycott Israel Campaign at http://tinyurl.com/lcbifacebook
The group is open to all, so if you're on Facebook please join and let your friends know about it, whether they are fans of Leonard's or oppose Israel's policy in Gaza.
The group is open to all, so if you're on Facebook please join and let your friends know about it, whether they are fans of Leonard's or oppose Israel's policy in Gaza.
Leonard Cohen Boycott Israel petition - 30 signatures in a week!
Since our petition was launched just over a week ago, 30 people from the UK, US, Australia, Israel and the Palestinian Territories have signed. Please spread the word by contacting people you know who either are fans of Leonard Cohen or oppose the situation in Israel. The petition can be found at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/appeal-to-leonard-cohen-not-to-perform-in-israel.html
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Update on BRICUP's appeal to Leonard Cohen to boycott Israel show
http://www.bricup.org.uk/news/lcandbeyond.htm
The British Committee for Universities in Palestine summarises progress made since their open letter to Leonard Cohen was sent in April.
The British Committee for Universities in Palestine summarises progress made since their open letter to Leonard Cohen was sent in April.
Friday, 12 June 2009
Gaza: No right to life - The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2009/jun/11/gaza-israel
"With the lack of medical services in Gaza, critically ill patients must travel into Israel for treatment. Many are asked to collaborate with Israeli intelligence services before they receive aid. It has been alleged that if they refuse to become informers they are refused medical treatment."
"With the lack of medical services in Gaza, critically ill patients must travel into Israel for treatment. Many are asked to collaborate with Israeli intelligence services before they receive aid. It has been alleged that if they refuse to become informers they are refused medical treatment."
Saturday, 6 June 2009
LCBI Campaign's Letter to Leonard Cohen
Dear Leonard Cohen,
(The following letter is a longer version of a petition currently being circulated asking you to join the many other artists, musicians, writers and academics in a cultural boycott of Israel.)
You are probably aware of a growing campaign addressing your recently announced intention to play a concert in Tel Aviv in September and the concern that it is causing.
As a group of long time fans and admirers of your music, poetry and novels, we also note with considerable dismay your decision to perform in Israel. You have not toured or performed there since the eighties, so to choose to return now in the aftermath of one of the most brutal incursions into Gaza and the killing of hundreds of men, women and children there, does seem to be ill-judged.
Understandably you may not have had the time to fully see or read about all that occurred there during the two months of the invasion, and all that has come to light in the time since that invasion, relating to the continuing suffering of the people of Gaza. However the following brief quotation from an article by an Israeli peace activist vividly and horrifyingly illustrates what happened to hundreds of children in the territory:
"The 400 Palestinian children who were burnt to death, or torn into pieces by Israel's recent onslaught on Gaza would never be able to hear your songs; nor could the hundreds of children who were maimed, injured and burnt by white phosphorous shells dropped by Israeli fighter planes (provided by the States) listen to your lyrics. They have been lying in hospital crying with agony with hardly any medicine to relieve their pain" 'From an Israeli Citizen to Leonard Cohen' Ruth Tenne - a member of Jews for Justice for Palestine. (Middle East Online)
The plight of these people continues as the Israeli blockading of Gaza means that equipment and medicines cannot be effectively provided to hospitals there, furthermore building materials and machinery to enable the people to rebuild their shattered houses, schools and places of worship are also denied. Even such basics as food, fuel and clean water are in dangerously short supply.
Since 1948 and with increasing force since 1967, the people of the West Bank and Gaza have been subjected to occupation, repression, destruction of their crops and denied freedom of movement. Tens of thousands Palestinians have also been made refugees from their homeland. You know this of course, everybody does; that you have a great depth of compassion is evident from your writings, from your interviews and indeed from how you have conducted your spiritual life, not everybody possesses this degree of understanding and sympathy. It is therefore difficult for us to understand why you have yielded to requests from your many Israeli fans at this time - when up to now their pleas to you have gone unheeded?
We who love your work, work which has provided us nourishment for so many years understand of course that people everywhere who hold you in high esteem and feel deep affection for you, want nothing more than to see you stand on stage and hear you and your wonderful musicians sing, play and speak to them. We have been to your recent concerts (more than once!) and they have been memorable and wonderfully entertaining. For some this continuing tour has provided their first, longed for chance, while for others your recent concerts have been a continuation of a long time pattern of concert-going. Naturally Israelis want you to come to Tel Aviv, nowhere more than in Israel, probably, are you more popular and we take no pleasure in requesting that you deny such loyal and fervent followers their chance to see you. However we believe that in this instance the denial of their memorable night must take precedence over the support your arrival there would seemingly give to the state of Israel and its actions. For that is how it would be perceived, symbolic and tacit support for an essentially apartheid system, and a for a state that is a democracy only for one section of its citizens and that denies almost all rights for those it has made virtual prisoners in their divided and walled in territories, land which in reality they cannot even call their own. As in other countries you have visited, where politicians and even heads of state attended your concerts, it is likely that in Tel Aviv also representatives of the state and military may well take the chance to attend your concert there. It is likely also that among the audience there will be soldiers recently returned from Gaza, or the West Bank. There is no way therefore that your appearance can be construed as apolitical, however you yourself may view it.
It is the case too, unfortunately that a majority of Israeli citizens did support the onslaught of their army into Gaza, so a cancellation of your visit would send a very powerful message to them.
Of course there are many brave young men and women who refuse conscription into the IDF and risk prison sentences for their principled stand. Of course too there are very many Israelis who do not stand by their country's occupation of Palestinian land and who work tirelessly for peace and justice. There are also Israeli citizens who have been indiscriminately killed, or maimed, by suicide bombers. The town of Sderot, adjoining Gaza, has suffered rocket fire from Hamas. They are all entitled to live in peace and without fear. However, very many more Palestinians have died by the guns, shells and tanks of the Israeli army and for them there is no respite.
So for all these reasons we appeal to you to please refrain from travelling to Israel at present. If however you do decide to go ahead, we respectfully ask you to make a donation to one of the many peace groups striving to create conditions for peace, equal rights and nationhood for all in Israel/Palestine. For example 'Jews for Justice for Palestine' or the 'International Solidarity Movement' (ISM) or towards the medical organisation 'Medicins sans Frontieres' currently struggling in under equipped hospitals in Gaza. You may have already decided to do something like this anyway, given that you were moved to contribute generously to the victims of the bush fires in Australia during your tour there last year.
Undoubtedly a decision to cancel this concert will cause deep disappointment, even anguish, to the Israelis who wished for so long to see you. For you also such a decision will be difficult and we do not underestimate that difficulty. Be assured though that for the people currently suffering military onslaughts in Palestine and for all of us who want wholeheartedly to see a lasting, peaceful and just future in the region and by extension throughout the world, a gesture of regretful refusal from you would mean so much.
Many thanks for taking the time to read this.
Yours sincerely,
The Leonard Cohen Boycott Israel Coalition
On behalf of a group of your fans in Britain and the U.S.
(The following letter is a longer version of a petition currently being circulated asking you to join the many other artists, musicians, writers and academics in a cultural boycott of Israel.)
You are probably aware of a growing campaign addressing your recently announced intention to play a concert in Tel Aviv in September and the concern that it is causing.
As a group of long time fans and admirers of your music, poetry and novels, we also note with considerable dismay your decision to perform in Israel. You have not toured or performed there since the eighties, so to choose to return now in the aftermath of one of the most brutal incursions into Gaza and the killing of hundreds of men, women and children there, does seem to be ill-judged.
Understandably you may not have had the time to fully see or read about all that occurred there during the two months of the invasion, and all that has come to light in the time since that invasion, relating to the continuing suffering of the people of Gaza. However the following brief quotation from an article by an Israeli peace activist vividly and horrifyingly illustrates what happened to hundreds of children in the territory:
"The 400 Palestinian children who were burnt to death, or torn into pieces by Israel's recent onslaught on Gaza would never be able to hear your songs; nor could the hundreds of children who were maimed, injured and burnt by white phosphorous shells dropped by Israeli fighter planes (provided by the States) listen to your lyrics. They have been lying in hospital crying with agony with hardly any medicine to relieve their pain" 'From an Israeli Citizen to Leonard Cohen' Ruth Tenne - a member of Jews for Justice for Palestine. (Middle East Online)
The plight of these people continues as the Israeli blockading of Gaza means that equipment and medicines cannot be effectively provided to hospitals there, furthermore building materials and machinery to enable the people to rebuild their shattered houses, schools and places of worship are also denied. Even such basics as food, fuel and clean water are in dangerously short supply.
Since 1948 and with increasing force since 1967, the people of the West Bank and Gaza have been subjected to occupation, repression, destruction of their crops and denied freedom of movement. Tens of thousands Palestinians have also been made refugees from their homeland. You know this of course, everybody does; that you have a great depth of compassion is evident from your writings, from your interviews and indeed from how you have conducted your spiritual life, not everybody possesses this degree of understanding and sympathy. It is therefore difficult for us to understand why you have yielded to requests from your many Israeli fans at this time - when up to now their pleas to you have gone unheeded?
We who love your work, work which has provided us nourishment for so many years understand of course that people everywhere who hold you in high esteem and feel deep affection for you, want nothing more than to see you stand on stage and hear you and your wonderful musicians sing, play and speak to them. We have been to your recent concerts (more than once!) and they have been memorable and wonderfully entertaining. For some this continuing tour has provided their first, longed for chance, while for others your recent concerts have been a continuation of a long time pattern of concert-going. Naturally Israelis want you to come to Tel Aviv, nowhere more than in Israel, probably, are you more popular and we take no pleasure in requesting that you deny such loyal and fervent followers their chance to see you. However we believe that in this instance the denial of their memorable night must take precedence over the support your arrival there would seemingly give to the state of Israel and its actions. For that is how it would be perceived, symbolic and tacit support for an essentially apartheid system, and a for a state that is a democracy only for one section of its citizens and that denies almost all rights for those it has made virtual prisoners in their divided and walled in territories, land which in reality they cannot even call their own. As in other countries you have visited, where politicians and even heads of state attended your concerts, it is likely that in Tel Aviv also representatives of the state and military may well take the chance to attend your concert there. It is likely also that among the audience there will be soldiers recently returned from Gaza, or the West Bank. There is no way therefore that your appearance can be construed as apolitical, however you yourself may view it.
It is the case too, unfortunately that a majority of Israeli citizens did support the onslaught of their army into Gaza, so a cancellation of your visit would send a very powerful message to them.
Of course there are many brave young men and women who refuse conscription into the IDF and risk prison sentences for their principled stand. Of course too there are very many Israelis who do not stand by their country's occupation of Palestinian land and who work tirelessly for peace and justice. There are also Israeli citizens who have been indiscriminately killed, or maimed, by suicide bombers. The town of Sderot, adjoining Gaza, has suffered rocket fire from Hamas. They are all entitled to live in peace and without fear. However, very many more Palestinians have died by the guns, shells and tanks of the Israeli army and for them there is no respite.
So for all these reasons we appeal to you to please refrain from travelling to Israel at present. If however you do decide to go ahead, we respectfully ask you to make a donation to one of the many peace groups striving to create conditions for peace, equal rights and nationhood for all in Israel/Palestine. For example 'Jews for Justice for Palestine' or the 'International Solidarity Movement' (ISM) or towards the medical organisation 'Medicins sans Frontieres' currently struggling in under equipped hospitals in Gaza. You may have already decided to do something like this anyway, given that you were moved to contribute generously to the victims of the bush fires in Australia during your tour there last year.
Undoubtedly a decision to cancel this concert will cause deep disappointment, even anguish, to the Israelis who wished for so long to see you. For you also such a decision will be difficult and we do not underestimate that difficulty. Be assured though that for the people currently suffering military onslaughts in Palestine and for all of us who want wholeheartedly to see a lasting, peaceful and just future in the region and by extension throughout the world, a gesture of regretful refusal from you would mean so much.
Many thanks for taking the time to read this.
Yours sincerely,
The Leonard Cohen Boycott Israel Coalition
On behalf of a group of your fans in Britain and the U.S.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Massachusetts Activists Call On Leonard Cohen to Join the Cultural Boycott of Israel
http://boston.indymedia.org/feature/display/207645/index.php
"Activists from throughout Massachusetts gathered in front of the Wang Theater in Boston on Friday and Saturday May 29th and 30th to demand that Leonard Cohen uphold the cultural boycott of Israel."
"Activists from throughout Massachusetts gathered in front of the Wang Theater in Boston on Friday and Saturday May 29th and 30th to demand that Leonard Cohen uphold the cultural boycott of Israel."
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Closure of Palestinian literary festival
Following is a link to the letters page of the Guardian newspaper of 26th May relating to the closure by police of a Palestinian literary festival in Jerusalem and another letter dealing with the settler question: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/26/israel-palestine-literary-festival-settlers
Friday, 22 May 2009
Tel Aviv show not official?
http://www.forward.com/articles/106317/
Here's an interesting article on the Israel matter, which claims the Tel Aviv gig is still not official. Also one or two dubious/intriguing claims/quotes and more photos of the protest in New York.
Here's an interesting article on the Israel matter, which claims the Tel Aviv gig is still not official. Also one or two dubious/intriguing claims/quotes and more photos of the protest in New York.
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Protest at Radio City Music Hall show in New York
http://jewssansfrontieres.blogspot.com/2009/05/new-york-activists-to-singer-leonard.html
Protestors chanted “Leonard, Leonard Have A Heart, Don’t Help Apartheid With Your Art” and sang “Ain’t Gonna Let Occupation Turn Me Round, Gonna Keep On Walkin’, Keep Boycottin’” to the tune of “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round”. A particular crowd favorite was, to the tune of Frere Jacques,
Are you sleeping, Are you sleeping,
Leonard Cohen, Leonard Cohen
While your songs are so fine
Israel’s taking Palestine
Don’t go there, Don’t go there
Here's a photo from the protest, or at least some graffiti.
Protestors chanted “Leonard, Leonard Have A Heart, Don’t Help Apartheid With Your Art” and sang “Ain’t Gonna Let Occupation Turn Me Round, Gonna Keep On Walkin’, Keep Boycottin’” to the tune of “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round”. A particular crowd favorite was, to the tune of Frere Jacques,
Are you sleeping, Are you sleeping,
Leonard Cohen, Leonard Cohen
While your songs are so fine
Israel’s taking Palestine
Don’t go there, Don’t go there
Here's a photo from the protest, or at least some graffiti.
Monday, 18 May 2009
Healing apartheid, not its victims? PACBI open letter to Leonard Cohen
http://www.pacbi.org/etemplate.php?id=1006
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel writes its own open letter to Leonard Cohen: "Entertaining any apartheid regime is morally wrong. No true humanist should disagree."
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel writes its own open letter to Leonard Cohen: "Entertaining any apartheid regime is morally wrong. No true humanist should disagree."
Protesting in the streets against the Israel show!
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/05/16/18595447.php
"New York activists armed with acoustic guitars and drawings of guitars turning into barbed-wire fences will sing and pass out flyers outside singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen's Radio City Music Hall concert Sunday night. The activists are asking Cohen to cancel his September concert in Israel, supporting earlier calls by Jews, Palestinians and Israeli citizens, and by residents of the UK. The sing-in will occur during the week of the 61st anniversary of the Nakba, when, with the founding of the State of Israel, Israeli forces expelled 800,000 Palestinians from their homes and destroyed over 500 villages."
"New York activists armed with acoustic guitars and drawings of guitars turning into barbed-wire fences will sing and pass out flyers outside singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen's Radio City Music Hall concert Sunday night. The activists are asking Cohen to cancel his September concert in Israel, supporting earlier calls by Jews, Palestinians and Israeli citizens, and by residents of the UK. The sing-in will occur during the week of the 61st anniversary of the Nakba, when, with the founding of the State of Israel, Israeli forces expelled 800,000 Palestinians from their homes and destroyed over 500 villages."
Friday, 15 May 2009
Comment is Free - Hillel Schenker
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/may/14/leonard-cohen-israel-palestine
Hillel Schenker comments on the news that 'a group of academics in the UK – among them Professor Haim Bresheeth, who spent many years in Israel – is urging Leonard Cohen to cancel his concert in Israel, scheduled for 24 September, because "your songs have been part of the soundtrack of our lives". It is not "the right action" according to the Buddhist precepts he identifies with, because it sends a message of support for Israeli military actions against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.'
Hillel Schenker comments on the news that 'a group of academics in the UK – among them Professor Haim Bresheeth, who spent many years in Israel – is urging Leonard Cohen to cancel his concert in Israel, scheduled for 24 September, because "your songs have been part of the soundtrack of our lives". It is not "the right action" according to the Buddhist precepts he identifies with, because it sends a message of support for Israeli military actions against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.'
Sunday, 10 May 2009
The paradox of Israel's pursuit of might - Max Hastings
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/may/09/israel-middle-east-max-hastings
Max Hastings writes of his growing disillusionment towards the state of Israel: "Between the late 1970s and 1990s, I was one of those foreigners who progressively fell out of love with Israel. I became persuaded that the arrogance of its faith in its own military power had induced its people to go far beyond a belief in defending their own society, to support a polity committed to perpetuating a great historic injustice against the Palestinians."
Max Hastings writes of his growing disillusionment towards the state of Israel: "Between the late 1970s and 1990s, I was one of those foreigners who progressively fell out of love with Israel. I became persuaded that the arrogance of its faith in its own military power had induced its people to go far beyond a belief in defending their own society, to support a polity committed to perpetuating a great historic injustice against the Palestinians."
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Letter to Leonard Cohen from the British Committee for the Universities of Palestine
http://usacbi.wordpress.com/2009/04/24/canadian-musician-leonard-cohen-urged-to-cancel-israel-concert/
BRICUP has issued a call to Leonard Cohen to cancel his proposed vist to Israel to perform at a concert on 24 September. For more details including a PDF version of the above letter see the BRICUP website.
BRICUP has issued a call to Leonard Cohen to cancel his proposed vist to Israel to perform at a concert on 24 September. For more details including a PDF version of the above letter see the BRICUP website.
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