By: Andrew Trendell, NME
“Building bridges through music and the arts as a means to achieving greater understanding and peace in the region”
Stephen Fry, Sharon Osbourne, Scooter Braun and KISS’ Gene Simmons are among the names leading a letter speaking out against a suggested boycott of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Israel.
Set to take place in Tel Aviv in May with Madonna confirmed to perform, the annual competition has sparked much controversy due to its location. Earlier this year, Vivienne Westwood, Wolf Alice and Peter Gabriel were among the signatories of an open letter calling for the BBC to boycott the contest in solidarity with Palestine – arguing that taking part would be “a dubious honour” for “any artist of conscience”.
The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement argue that Israel is “shamelessly using Eurovision as part of its official Brand Israel strategy, which presents ‘Israel’s prettier face’ to whitewash and distract attention from its war crimes against Palestinians.”
Now, over 100 public figures including music mogul Scooter Braun, Stephen Fry, rock veteran Gene Simmons, comedian Al Murray and Countdown co-presenter Rachel Riley have signed a letter arguing against a boycott, claiming that it would only work against the show’s “spirit of togetherness” and ultimately “subverting the spirit of the contest and turning it from a tool of unity into a weapon of division”.
“We believe the cultural boycott movement is an affront to both Palestinians and Israelis who are working to advance peace through compromise, exchange, and mutual recognition,” the letter continued. “While we all may have differing opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the best path to peace, we all agree that a cultural boycott is not the answer.”
The letter was shared by Creative Community for Peace (CCFP). CCFP director Ari Ingel added: “The members of the entertainment industry who have signed this statement, along with the thousands of individuals who have endorsed its message, all believe in building bridges through music and the arts as a means to achieving greater understanding and peace in the region.”Volume 0%
Speaking against the BBC supporting and broadcasting the event from Israel, an open letter from artists published earlier this year read: “Eurovision may be light entertainment, but it is not exempt from human rights considerations.” They added that any “claim to celebrate diversity and inclusion must ring hollow”.
“We cannot ignore Israel’s systematic violation of Palestinian human rights,” their letter reads. “The BBC is bound by its charter to ‘champion freedom of expression’. It should act on its principles and press for Eurovision to be relocated to a country where crimes against that freedom are not being committed.”
Responding, the BBC denied that Eurovision had any political associations.
“The competition has always supported the values of friendship, inclusion, tolerance and diversity and we do not believe it would be appropriate to use the BBC’s participation for political reasons,” the broadcaster said. “Because of this, we will be taking part in this year’s event. The host country is determined by the rules of the competition, not the BBC.”
Lorde was scheduled to play Tel Aviv in June last year but cancelled the concert in December 2017 in the face of overwhelming pressure. Lana Del Rey also recently pulled out of Israel’s Meteor festival following controversy about her appearance.
Nick Cave, however, went on to play two shows in Israel despite opposition. In sharing a lengthy letter he sent to Brian Eno, the Bad Seeds frontman stated that he had “received a number of messages broadly relating to this issue”. Cave said that Eno had “emailed me in the hope of persuading me to reconsider [the shows]” after they were announced.
Within the message to Eno, Cave labelled the boycott as “cowardly and shameful”, while defending his decision to perform in Israel as a “principled stand against those who wish to bully, shame and silence musicians”.
Nick Cave
“I do not support the current government in Israel,” Cave said, “yet I do not accept that my decision to play in the country is any kind of tacit support for that government’s policies.” The singer added that he is “aware of the injustices suffered by the Palestinian population”, and hopes “that their suffering is ended via a comprehensive and just solution”.
Radiohead also played a show in Israel in 2017 despite opposition. “Music, art and academia is about crossing borders not building them, about open minds not closes ones, about shared humanity, dialogue and freedom of expression,” said frontman Thom Yorke of their reasoning.
The first run of semi-finals for Eurovision 2019 begin on Tuesday, May 14, before the final takes place on Saturday, May 18.
By: Malina Saval, Variety
As Tel Aviv gears up for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, taking place in the coastal Israeli city May 14 through 18, the entertainment industry non-profit Creative Community For Peace (CCFP) has released a statement in support of the internationally-attended and globally-televised event, which promotes musical acts from all over the world.
The statement, signed by over 100 entertainment executives and personalities — among them: “The Talk” host Sharon Osborne, KISS’ Gene Simmons, music attorney Donald S. Passman, Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande managers Scooter Braun and Allison Kaye, Propagate Content chief Ben Silverman and WME co-founder and head of television Rick Rosen — comes in response to efforts by the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which includes vocal supporters like Roger Waters of Pink Floyd fame.
(Pictured below: Protesters outside London’s BBC demonstrate against the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest being held in Israel.)
“This year, approximately 200 million people will watch, visit and take part in the Eurovision song contest, celebrating music and the diversity of our different cultures,” said Ari Ingel, Director of CCFP. “The members of the entertainment industry who have signed this statement, along with the thousands of individuals who have endorsed its message, all believe in building bridges through music and the arts as a means to achieving greater understanding and peace in the region.”
Nearly 15,000 people from around the world signed a similar statement on Change.org, asserting that a cultural boycott of Eurovision does not work to advance peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Additionally, the BBC released its own statement supporting the Eurovision Song Contest in Israel this year for its embodiment of the “values of friendship, inclusion, tolerance, and diversity.”
Israel won last year’s Eurovision contest held in Lisbon, Portugal with the song “Toy” by Netta Barzila. The quirky electronic tune, which features English lyrics and a scat-like vocal, claimed the country’s fourth victory in as many decades. Barzila, a singer who won the TV show “Hakokhav Haba,” Israel’s version of “American Idol” format, completed her mandatory military service in the navy band, called Nahal, and was accompanied by a military band during her performance in the grand finale.
It was Israel’s fourth time winning Eurovision after previous victories in 1978 and 1979, and in 1998 with trans performer Dana International.
By: Laura Snapes, The Guardian
Public figures including Stephen Fry, Sharon Osbourne, Marina Abramovićand pop mogul Scooter Braun have signed a letter speaking out against a proposed boycott of this year’s Eurovision song contest, which is to be held in Tel Aviv in May.
Their letter states that Eurovision’s “spirit of togetherness” across the continent is “under attack by those calling to boycott Eurovision 2019 because it is being held in Israel, subverting the spirit of the contest and turning it from a tool of unity into a weapon of division”.
It continues: “We believe the cultural boycott movement is an affront to both Palestinians and Israelis who are working to advance peace through compromise, exchange, and mutual recognition. While we all may have differing opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the best path to peace, we all agree that a cultural boycott is not the answer.”
Non-profit organisation Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) are behind the letter, which has more than 100 signatories. Also among them are Gene Simmons of the band Kiss, comedian Al Murray, Countdown co-presenter Rachel Riley and Spanish singer/songwriter Conchita, AKA Maria Concepción Mendívil.
Ari Ingel, director of CCFP, said: “The members of the entertainment industry who have signed this statement, along with the thousands of individuals who have endorsed its message, all believe in building bridges through music and the arts as a means to achieving greater understanding and peace in the region.”
Their letter comes in response to widespread calls for participating artists and broadcast partners to boycott the contest. The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement has claimed that Israel is “shamelessly using Eurovision as part of its official Brand Israel strategy, which presents ‘Israel’s prettier face’ to whitewash and distract attention from its war crimes against Palestinians.”
In January 2019, British figures including Vivienne Westwood, Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, Mike Leigh, Julie Christie, Maxine Peake, Caryl Churchill and the band Wolf Alice signed a letter calling on the BBC to cancel coverage of the 2019 song contest.
The signatories criticised Israel over its occupation of Palestinian territories. “Eurovision may be light entertainment, but it is not exempt from human rights considerations – and we cannot ignore Israel’s systematic violation of Palestinian human rights.”
In response, the BBC underlined its commitment to airing the event: “The Eurovision song contest is not a political event and does not endorse any political message or campaign. The competition has always supported the values of friendship, inclusion, tolerance and diversity and we do not believe it would be appropriate to use the BBC’s participation for political reasons. Because of this we will be taking part in this year’s event. The host country is determined by the rules of the competition, not the BBC.”
Roger Waters has urged Madonna to pull her planned performance at the event. She has not responded. In September 2018, he also wrote an open letter to the 41 finalists asking them to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the Palestinian people. Thus far, no competing nation has rescinded their participation owing to the competition’s location. In February, Ukraine pulled out after its competitor selection process became entangled in political tensions with Russia.
The contest is being held in Israel following the country’s win in 2018, for pop singer Netta Barzilai’s track Toy. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had wanted the contest to be staged in Jerusalem, but the nationality of the city is disputed, with Palestinians claiming an Israeli-occupied area as a potential future capital city. Instead, Tel Aviv will host the contest, which is scheduled for 18 May. Michael Rice, 21, will represent the UK.
• This article was amended on 30 April 2019. An earlier version said the former Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst had signed the letter. It is in fact the Spanish singer/songwriter Conchita, AKA Maria Concepción Mendívil. This has been corrected.
![Or](http://"Building bridges through music and the arts as a means to achieving greater understanding and peace in the region" Stephen Fry, Sharon Osbourne, Scooter Braun and KISS’ Gene Simmons are among the names leading a letter speaking out against a suggested boycott of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Israel. Set to take place in Tel Aviv in May with Madonna confirmed to perform, the annual competition has sparked much controversy due to its location. Earlier this year, Vivienne Westwood, Wolf Alice and Peter Gabriel were among the signatories of an open letter calling for the BBC to boycott the contest in solidarity with Palestine – arguing that taking part would be “a dubious honour” for “any artist of conscience”. The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement argue that Israel is “shamelessly using Eurovision as part of its official Brand Israel strategy, which presents ‘Israel’s prettier face’ to whitewash and distract attention from its war crimes against Palestinians.” image: https://ksassets.timeincuk.net/wp/uploads/sites/55/2018/09/GettyImages-957907306-1024x650.jpg Eurovision Eurovision Now, over 100 public figures including music mogul Scooter Braun, Stephen Fry, rock veteran Gene Simmons, comedian Al Murray and Countdown co-presenter Rachel Riley have signed a letter arguing against a boycott, claiming that it would only work against the show’s “spirit of togetherness” and ultimately “subverting the spirit of the contest and turning it from a tool of unity into a weapon of division”. “We believe the cultural boycott movement is an affront to both Palestinians and Israelis who are working to advance peace through compromise, exchange, and mutual recognition,” the letter continued. “While we all may have differing opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the best path to peace, we all agree that a cultural boycott is not the answer.” The letter was shared by Creative Community for Peace (CCFP). CCFP director Ari Ingel added: “The members of the entertainment industry who have signed this statement, along with the thousands of individuals who have endorsed its message, all believe in building bridges through music and the arts as a means to achieving greater understanding and peace in the region.” Speaking against the BBC supporting and broadcasting the event from Israel, an open letter from artists published earlier this year read: “Eurovision may be light entertainment, but it is not exempt from human rights considerations.” They added that any “claim to celebrate diversity and inclusion must ring hollow”. “We cannot ignore Israel’s systematic violation of Palestinian human rights,” their letter reads. “The BBC is bound by its charter to ‘champion freedom of expression’. It should act on its principles and press for Eurovision to be relocated to a country where crimes against that freedom are not being committed.” Responding, the BBC denied that Eurovision had any political associations. “The competition has always supported the values of friendship, inclusion, tolerance and diversity and we do not believe it would be appropriate to use the BBC’s participation for political reasons,” the broadcaster said. “Because of this, we will be taking part in this year’s event. The host country is determined by the rules of the competition, not the BBC.” Lorde was scheduled to play Tel Aviv in June last year but cancelled the concert in December 2017 in the face of overwhelming pressure. Lana Del Rey also recently pulled out of Israel’s Meteor festival following controversy about her appearance. Nick Cave, however, went on to play two shows in Israel despite opposition. In sharing a lengthy letter he sent to Brian Eno, the Bad Seeds frontman stated that he had “received a number of messages broadly relating to this issue”. Cave said that Eno had “emailed me in the hope of persuading me to reconsider [the shows]” after they were announced. Within the message to Eno, Cave labelled the boycott as “cowardly and shameful”, while defending his decision to perform in Israel as a “principled stand against those who wish to bully, shame and silence musicians”. image: https://ksassets.timeincuk.net/wp/uploads/sites/55/2019/04/rexfeatures_9744487g_nick_cave_2000-1024x650.jpg Nick Cave “I do not support the current government in Israel,” Cave said, “yet I do not accept that my decision to play in the country is any kind of tacit support for that government’s policies.” The singer added that he is “aware of the injustices suffered by the Palestinian population”, and hopes “that their suffering is ended via a comprehensive and just solution”. Radiohead also played a show in Israel in 2017 despite opposition. “Music, art and academia is about crossing borders not building them, about open minds not closes ones, about shared humanity, dialogue and freedom of expression,” said frontman Thom Yorke of their reasoning. The first run of semi-finals for Eurovision 2019 begin on Tuesday, May 14, before the final takes place on Saturday, May 18. Read more at https://www.nme.com/news/music/stephen-fry-sharon-osbourne-kiss-gene-simmons-among-names-against-eurovision-israel-boycott-2482607#riQDHVSTiHhx9X4Z.99){kind=link}
Rastifarianism is not a religion but a spiritual culture, explains Anthony
Jamaican reggae sensation Anthony B took to the stage in Israel with performers around the world to celebrate the late reggae legend Bob Marley’s 74th birthday over the weekend with a “One Love” concert.
In an exclusive interview with i24NEWS, he describes the impact of visiting the holy places he learned about growing up.
“And as we say, experience is the greatest teacher, so what you hear about Israel and what you read about Israel — when you come here it’s a different vibration.”
During the concert at the ancient amphitheatre in Caesarea, a video message was shown onstage from Palestinian singer Rami Aman and others in the Gaza Strip wishing happy birthday to Bob Marley and thanking him for his message of peace and love spread through his music.
“We are here in Gaza sending our love and greeting for him and for all,”
“I’m here with a Jewish lady from America, I’m from Jamaica, we’re in Israel, I’m wearing a Palestinian headwrap; so you see it’s all about peace and love, it doesn’t matter where you’re from,” Anthony B said during his interview with i24NEWS Culture Correspondent Emily Frances.
Rastifarianism is not a religion but a spiritual culture, explains Anthony, that believes they are one of the lost tribes of Israel, descending from the first emperor of Ethiopia Menelek,who is thought to be the son of King Solomon and Queen Sheba
“The dreadlocks are a holy sacrament taken before Christ never to trim or shave, instead letting the locks grow until the days are manifested,” Anthony explains of the rastafarian custom of growing out their hair into dreads.
He also explains the Rastafarian practice of smoking “ganga” as founded on the belief that the only thing to grow at Solomon’s gravesite was the marijuana plant.
“Everyone who thinks he’s a wise man wants to smoke marijuana because he wants to be as wise as Solomon,” he says in jive.
“Jerusalem, Bethlehem — these places didn’t even sound like a place on earth,” he says in awe of the biblical places he learned about as a child.