Mondoweiss has a very interesting post today,
Macy Gray criticizes Israeli policy; asks if she should play in Tel Aviv
Macy Gray is reconsidering the concerts she has planned for Tel Aviv. On Facebook, Gray had the following for her fans
I'm booked for 2 shows in TelAviv. I'm getting alot of letters from activists urging/begging me to boycott by NOT performing in protest of Apartheid against the Palestinians. What the Israeli government is doing to the Palestinians is disgusting, but I wana go. I gotta lotta fans there I dont want to cancel on and I dont know how my NOT going changes anything. What do you think? Stay or go?
The feedback significantly picked up today (January 19th) and took an overwhelming turn towards asking Gray NOT to perform in Tel Aviv. Go read the responses for yourself, and more importantly, give Macy Gray your two cents
I say, here, here, go and tell Macy what she, and many others already know to be true:
Boycott From Within is taking credit for the recent cancellation of French pop star Vanessa Paradis’s visit to Israel. The group, made up of Israeli citizens who advocate the Palestinian call for international boycott, divestment and sanction (BDS) of Israel, believes that their efforts helped persuade Paradis to cancel her March performance in Tel Aviv. Officially, her concert was canceled for ‘professional reasons’ but those close to singer believe that she was motivated by calls for boycott.
Seriously, how long before enough racism and oppression is enough?
This video shows four activists going in the morning to the Palestinian Bedouin village of al-Arakib in Israel. They observed the destruction the village suffered yesterday, being demolished for a tenth time. The video shows them trying to give a hand in an attempt to build, at a minimum, a roof for the residents. The Jewish National Fund has been trying for months to drive out the residents of al-Arakib, who have lived there since before Israel was established.
Student's answer on civics test: Death to Arabs
Three weeks after the publication of a petition calling on Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar to take action against racism spreading within schools and the general public, teachers told Ynet about the harsh reality they are forced to face daily.
In one case, a 12th grade student of a northern Israeli school wrote "Death to the Arabs" on a test in civics class. In another case, a high school student from Tel Aviv stood up during class, and to the horror of his teacher declared that his dream is to volunteer for the Border Guard, "so that I can spray Arabs to death." His friends welcomed the announcement with applause.
Moreover, civics teachers around the country have been finding graffiti on the walls of their classrooms, bearing slogans ranging from "Kahane was right" to "A good Arab is a dead Arab." Other statements incite against the ultra-Orthodox sector and against refugees.
I leave you with my friend Tom and his beautiful, inspired words;
I truly believe we will see the end of the occupation in our lifetimes. We are resourceful and creative and full of untapped power. We have proven strategies that actually work, like BDS. We have the support of allies from around the world, working simultaneously to end all this suffering. All we need is more people to commit to spending some time for the cause. Yes, if you get more involved you will be attacked and called names. You will expose yourself to some very harsh realities. You will sometimes feel disappointed by people from your own side. You may end up losing some friends. But in addition to all that, you may also experience the rush of this profound, transformative joy that comes from making the news, instead of following it. Won't you join us?