British academics ask Elton John to read Goldstone
British Committee for Universities of Palestine send open letter to singer asking that he cancel summer concert in Israel, refer him to Goldstone Report. ‘You’re behaving as if playing in Israel is morally neutral,’ they write
LONDON – ”Political or not political, when you stand up on that stage in Tel Aviv, you line yourself up with a racist state,” wrote a group of British academics in an open letter to Elton John on Monday. The group, the British Committee for Universities of Palestine, seek to convince the singer to cancel his upcoming performance in Israel this June.
“Dear Elton John: Like much of the world, we think you’re a good bloke. You came out when it was difficult; you admitted your addictions were stronger than you were; you’ve poured money into AIDS research. Oh, and then there’s the music – not bad at all.
“But we’re struggling to understand why you’re playing in Israel on June 17. You may say you’re not a political person, but does an army dropping white phosphorus on a school building full of children demand a political response? Does walling a million and a half people up in a ghetto and then pounding that ghetto to rubble require a political response from us, or a human one?” they quipped.
“You’re behaving as if playing in Israel is morally neutral – but how can it be? How can the cruelties Israel practices against the Palestinians – fundamentally because the Palestinians are there, on Palestinian land, and Israel wants them to go – be morally neutral?” claimed the authors of the letter.
“Okay, you turn up in Ramat Gan, and it gets to that ‘Candle in the Wind’ moment, and thousands of lighters flicker – but there won’t be any Palestinians from the Occupied Territories swaying along with the Israelis – the army won’t let them leave their ghettoes.
A full report can be read HERE
Anthea said,
February 9, 2010 at 15:50
I am afraid that you will find it hard to convince Elton John.
When it comes to his particular ilk they will nearly always side with those who promote and support their personal sexual preferences.
Muslims take a moral stand against them. Consequently they are regarded as the ‘enemy’.
Real politik. Ugly and in the bedroom for them. The murder of Palestinians and the ethnic cleansing of that state is secondary.
Sad and degrading – but then that is how many see these ‘queens’ in general.
That Elton John would perform in Israel is par for the course and unsurprising.
apocryphal said,
February 9, 2010 at 19:42
It is an interesting start, and an interesting proposal to the Be-knighted and Be-spectacled one. Perhaps these academics should be approaching all artists that have played in Israel, and the Occupied territories over the last few years, and see about getting together anew anti-apartheid movement that could be similar to the “Artists United Against Apartheid (Sun City)” single from the 80′s that brought the concept of apartheid and the injustices of the South African government into the awareness of the whole world.
Ash said,
February 19, 2010 at 20:48
I can’t wait to find out Elton John’s reply to this messege .. I’m tired of Celebraties who say we are neutral or we stay away from politics … cause they can make their voices heard by other people, governments
Joseh said,
May 3, 2010 at 21:34
Way to go Elton . At least now you know who your friends are. Egypt rejected you and we welcome you. So, who is the real bigot.