Singer Cassandra Wilson cancels Israel show: "I identify with the cultural boycott of Israel"

US jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson has canceled her gig this weekend at the Women’s Festival in Holon, following appeals by boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) activists encouraging her to respect the Palestinian call for boycott. She took a public political stand just before she was due to board a plane to Tel Aviv.

Israeli daily Ynet reported (in Hebrew, translated) that Wilson announced, “as a human rights activist, I identify with the cultural boycott of Israel.” The report also stated that concert promoters are considering legal action against her.

Activists from Boycott from Within, who drafted an appeal to Wilson last week, asked her not to “support selective empowerment of women under Israeli apartheid.”

Cassandra Wilson joins a lengthening list of international scholars, artists and performers who have refused to appear in Israel due to the government’s apartheid policies against Palestinians.

Comments

dbs

Permalink jaine replied on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 18:35

Thank you for honoring the dbs on israel...thuggery is not tolerated on school play grounds, so why would we want to reward them with song...Good job!

Thank you for boycotting Israel

Permalink Susan Hall replied on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 20:04

I'm sorry the U.S. is giving the rich apartheid country of Israel millions of dollars instead of giving the money to people in the U.S. who need higher education, homes and some even good non-GMO food. However I am grateful that their are people who see the injustices and use their freedoms speak out against them. Thank you Ms. Wilson.

BOYCOTT ISRAEL

Permalink SADOK PACHA replied on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 22:32

Thank you Cassandra for your humanitarian act to boycott Israel ...god bless you.

Cassandra Wilson cancels gig

Permalink Barbara replied on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 01:18

I love Cassandra Wilson's music. Now I know I can listen to her without thinking "this woman performed in Israel" I hope she will be an example to many and the people of Israel realise that what they are doing has not got international support.

Thank you Cassandra and thank you E.I. for the film clip.