We call on Russell Brand, as a conscientious human of moral integrity, to cancel his appearance in Israel during the ‘Messiah Complex’ world tour, in accordance with the call of the Palestinian civil society to uphold a cultural boycott of the State of Israel. In 2005, the Israeli government launched the ‘Brand Israel’ campaign, which seeks to display a veneer of vibrant plurality and egalitarianism in Israel by utilising the guise of diverse cultural events being both exported and imported. Arye Mekel, deputy director general for cultural affairs in the Israeli foreign ministry, said of this campaign: “This way you show Israel’s prettier face…” In response, many prominent cultural figures (writers, academics, etc), at the request of the ‘Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI)’ have opposed any invitation to Israel, these include (amongst many more): Stevie Wonder, Stephen Hawkings, Judith Butler, Ken Loach, Iain Banks, Desmond Tutu, Alice Walker and Roger Waters. The call to boycott the State of Israel is no more a political statement than the engagement with the State, which amounts to a whitewashing of ethnic cleansing and apartheid. Indeed, such cultural events serve only the privileged, while a few miles away Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza navigate an internationally illegal military occupation, and many more live another day exiled in refugee camps. Russell Brand intends to export his tour to countries that are “relaxed about free speech,” but, if held in Israel, roughly 3 million Palestinians will be instantaneously cut off from attending as a result of the illegal military occupation: Is that not the most effective stifling of free speech? “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Russell Brand, the international community and the Palestinian civil society call sincerely and wholeheartedly on you not to appear in Israel as part of your world tour. No to (Russell) Brand (In) Israel.
Share this far and wide! Russell is politically aware and is in the public spotlight, meaning a BDS victory here is possible (dare I say probable) and would be in the media.
Mahmoud Sarsak kicking Eden Springs, just after Eden Springs sells its Israeli and European shares.
My Ramadhan is to be dedicated to the hunger strikers throughout the ages, who, through their incredible will and determination, have sought justice with their entire existence.
This is crucial. Please share.
The first container carrying humanitarian aid directly from the North Sea in SCOTLAND to SYRIA is leaving on the 30/06/2013.
Please donate
1-Toys (non-violent toys only please as Syrians children have witnessed so much violence and terror and we would like to heal their wounds)
2- Clothes (washed, cleaned, ironed and packed).
3-Duvets and blankets (clean and fresh ones).
The container is sponsored by Human Care Foundation Worldwide Charity No 1145092.
Please make your donations at the charity website www.hcfww.org
Human Care Foundation Worldwide
HSBC Bank
Sort Code 40 04 06
Account No 21619012
There are people collecting in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Livingston, etc. If you can donate that would be fantastic; if you can become a collection point, that would be awesome too.
The GMB, one of the largest worker unions in Britain, passes resolution in response to the funding group’s opposition to a boycott of Israel.
This is possibly the largest BDS victory in the UK so far - the GMB is a huge trade union!
Letters: UEFA is rewarding Israel’s cruel and lawless behaviour by granting it the honour of hosting the European Under-21 finals next month
This is the programme for Mahmoud Sarsak over the next few weeks in Scotland.
Mahmoud Sarsak.
