Middle East Focus: Israeli Artists Boycotting West Bank Settlements…….

Arabia Deserta

Israeli Artists Boycotting West Bank Settlements…….

“JERUSALEM - Leading lights of the Israeli theatre world have vowed to boycott Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, drawing threats from right-wingers who say the rebels risk losing public funding. A petition signed by 53 performers, writers and directors, including Yehoshua Sobol, Yossi Pollak, Yousef Sweid, Anat Gov and Savyon Liebrecht, said they would not take part in a planned performance at a new cultural centre in the northern West Bank settlement of Ariel. "Ariel is in occupied territory and no Israeli artist should have to take part in a production in occupied territory, not in Ariel nor in any other settlement when it is against international law," Sobol, a renowned playwright and satirist, told Israeli public radio on Sunday…….”

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said the government would not fund boycotts from within against the State of Israel. He was referring to the protest of several Israeli artists, who declared over the weekend that they would refuse to perform in the new cultural hall in the city of Ariel, which is located beyond the Green Line. "The State of Israel is subject to a de-legitimization attack on the part of different elements in the international arena, including attempts to launch academic and economic boycotts," Netanyahu said. "The last thing we need now is an attempt of boycotts from within."………..” Ynet (Israel)
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