The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel
(PACBI)
Press Release
Paul McCartney Embraces Israeli Apartheid
OCCUPIED RAMALLAH, 15 September 2008
PACBI regrets Paul McCartney's insistence on going ahead with his planned
gig in Israel despite many appeals to him to cancel it due to Israel's
crimes against the Palestinians, particularly its current brutally
devastating and illegal siege of 1.5 million in occupied Gaza. Not only
will such a concert violate the Palestinian cultural boycott against
Israel; it will convey a message that McCartney either condones or
apathetically ignores Israel's reality as a colonial power and an
apartheid state that oppresses the indigenous Palestinians and occupies
Arab land. Just as in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa,
Palestinians are asking international artists to exercise their moral
responsibility by staying away from Israel until freedom, justice,
equality and human rights are respected for all.
In a recent media interview McCartney confessed, "I was approached by
different groups and political bodies who asked me not to come here. I
refused. I do what I think, and I have many friends who support Israel."
Public opinion in the UK, however, does not support Israel's occupation
and violation of international law. Media reports revealed, furthermore,
that many in Liverpool itself are apprehensive towards McCartney's gig in
Israel. Now Sir Paul will have far fewer friends across the world, those
who still uphold human rights and abhor apartheid.
Adding insult to injury, McCartney told the media, "I've heard so many
great things about Tel Aviv and Israel, but hearing is one thing and
experiencing it for yourself is another." Hadn't he heard even greater
things about Sun City in South Africa, too? Would that have been enough
for him to ignore the South African anti-apartheid movement's call for
boycott?
Israel is recognized by the United Nations and the overwhelming majority
of nations across the world as a repressive occupying power that maintains
illegal colonies in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT) and
persistently violates international law.
Despite our denunciation of Paul McCartney's effective complicity in
covering up Israel's occupation and system of racial oppression, the
Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel
(PACBI) strongly and unequivocally condemns any violent threats made
against him or, for that matter, against any other cultural or academic
figure who decides to visit Israel in violation of the Palestinian boycott
of Israel. As a civil resistance movement whose message is anchored in an
unwavering commitment to universal human rights and ethical
responsibility, we strive to persuade people, to appeal to their minds and
hearts to boycott Israel -- through campaigns of public awareness raising
and non-violent pressure -- due to its occupation, racist oppression and
unique system of apartheid.
www.PACBI.org
Media inquiries: info@Boycottisrael.ps
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