Sunday, March 10, 2013

Welcome to Israel, Alicia Keys!

 Please sign the Creative Community for peace petition welcoming singer Alicia Keys to Israel, and circulate it widely. The 12 time Grammy winner is scheduled to play in Tel Aviv’s Nokia Arena on July 4, 2013.  Like all artists who are scheduled to perform in Israel, she is being subject to an unrelenting pressure campaign. Help Alicia Keys resist the BDS bullies    Sign  here:
 The text of the petition follows
We, the undersigned, wholeheartedly support your upcoming tour in Israel and your dedication to your fans across the globe.

We know you are hearing falsehoods about Israel being an apartheid state and unfair comparisons of Israel to apartheid South Africa. These messages are filled with distortions and untruths that seek to malign Israel and distort the discourse of those that seek peace.

Those who have actually been to Israel know that it is a democratic country with a diverse population, where women, Arabs, Muslims, Christians and all minorities have equal rights; a nation where art and freedom of expression flourish. In fact, Arab-Israeli citizens serve on Israel’s Supreme Court and in its Parliament. The recently crowned Miss Israel was born in Ethiopia and quoted Martin Luther King in her acceptance speech! "There are many different communities of many different colors in Israel, and it's important to show that to the world," said the new Miss Israel.

We too wish for a resolution to the complicated Palestinian/Israeli peace process, and we believe that the unique connection between artist and fan is part of the solution. Music is a great tool--one that can be used for building bridges, dialogue and understanding between people. Cultural boycotts drown out freedom and the voices of change. Your voice, your message will touch hearts and minds in a region desperately looking for peace.

We therefore urge you to keep your tour date in Israel, the land Madonna calls "the energy center of the world." Join the ranks of independent-minded artists who have performed in Israel recently, including Rihanna, Macy Gray, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Black Eyed Peas, Missy Elliot, Metallica, Linkin Park, Lady Gaga, Seal, Meshell Ngedecello, Erykah Badu and many others. Your fans in Israel are looking forward to seeing you and know that you will use the power of your music to help bring hope and peace to the region!

You know the drill. Sign it, post it on Facebook, add it to your blogs, and tweet it out. When we fight back we win.

UPDATE:

Thanks to an outpouring of support from friends of Israel and the arts worldwide, the petition for Alicia Keys has quickly surpassed 11,000 signatures ...and is growing rapidly.

Signators are from Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxenbourg, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, S. Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, united Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Zambia!

1 comment:

Shlomo Ben Hungstien said...

that list of players who have recently played in Israel should also have the Red Hot Chili Peppers on it no?