Israel boycott calls spread as celebs, artists speak out
Growing numbers of Western artists are calling for a cultural boycott of Israel over the Gaza war. With most Western governments resistant to major economic sanctions, musicians, celebrities and writers are hoping to build public pressure for more action.
“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that, globally, we’re at a tipping point,” British actor Khalid Abdalla of The Kite Runner and The Crown told the AFP news agency, after signing a petition calling for a boycott of several Israeli cinema bodies.
The open letter from Film Workers for Palestine has gathered thousands of signatories, including Emma Stone and Joaquin Phoenix, who have pledged to cut ties with any Israeli institutions “implicated in genocide”.
At this week’s Emmy Awards, winner after winner, from Javier Bardem to Hacks actor Hannah Einbinder, spoke about Gaza, echoing similar statements at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month.
British trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack announced they were joining a music collective called No Music for Genocide that will see artists try to block the streaming of their songs in Israel.
Israeli faces are being boycotted at the Eurovision, while Spain’s PM is leading a push to exclude the country from sports events.
Israeli conductor Ilan Volkov announced last week at a concert in the UK that he would no longer perform in his home country.
European leaders criticised for lack of action against Israel
Ever since European leaders visited Israel in the wake of the October 7 attack, “very little has been done (other than piling on the words) to mark the EU’s revulsion or to sanction Israel or Netanyahu in any meaningful way,” according to an opinion piece in the Times of Malta.
“This [act of solidarity by European leaders] despite the public knowledge of that regime’s history, Netanyahu’s well-documented ideology on Palestine, and the openly expressed assertions of extremist members of his cabinet,” wrote Colm Regan in the piece.
“While the ongoing complicity of ‘Great Again’ America and its enabling network in the genocide is plain for all to hear and see, we expect better (and have a right to demand better) from the EU, its leaders and officials and its institutions.
“Instead, we have been abysmally served by them.”
Pro-Palestine demonstrators rally in Berlin
Protesters hold signs during a large-scale classical music concert for Gaza children held on World Children’s Day at Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt
