Yet another star ignores widely publicized
demands to cancel and performs in Israel. Tom Jones even adds a second show. Like
Alicia Keys this summer and Rhianna in October, Jones joins the vast majority
of musicians in standing up to the pressure of boycotters.
In spite of boycott hype, only rare exceptions
like Jello Biafra and Elvis Costello have counted themselves supporters.
Costello nixed his show in June 2010 although his wife, singer Diana Krall,
performed later that summer. Biafra flew to Israel anyway, watched Israeli
punk band Useless ID play without him, and published his mixed feelings about
Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction (BDS).
In fact, even among the few musicians who have canceled,
giving
into pressure or postponing a show does not mean supporting boycott.
When Marc Almond cancelled, his management announced, “Marc would like to make it absolutely clear that this is not for any
political reason. We are very sorry for any inconvenience to fans who have
bought tickets.”
Carlos Santana’s management said, “We are sorry that our schedule has
forced the postponement of certain dates previously scheduled. We look forward
to performing in the many historic places that Santana has long wanted to
return to.”
Yet, these names appear in publicity about BDS as if
they protested against Israel. Even included are some--like Jon Bon Jovi--who
simply have never played in the Jewish state. When asked earlier this year by BBC’s,
Jo Whiley, “Is there anywhere in the world you’d like to play but haven’t yet?”
Bon Jovi immediately answered: “Israel.”
In recent years, many major musicians have
played in Israel, legends like Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Elton
John, and Leonard Cohen, and performers that are big draws in every genre,
including:
Punk--Marky
Ramone, New York Dolls, Buzzcocks,
Gogol Bordello; NOFX;
Metal--Anthrax,
Judas Priest, Ozzie Ozbourne, Megadeth;
Pop--Lady
Gaga, Madonna, Justin Bieber, Alanis Morissette;
Rock--
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Aerosmith, Linkin Park, Jethro Tull, Guns N’Roses, Rod
Stewart, 30 Seconds to Mars;
Blues—-KM
Williams, Lucky Peterson, Robert Belfour;
Indie--Yo
La Tengo, Deerhoof, Silver Jews, Why?;
Reggae--Ziggy
Marley, Steel Pulse, Easy Star All-Stars;
Grunge--The
Jesus and Mary Chain; Jane’s Addiction, Faith No More;
New
Wave—-Depeche Mode, Peter Murphy;
Electronica—-Pet
Shop Boys, VNV Nation;
R&B--Rhianna,
The Black Eyed Peas, Pitbull, and Alicia Keys.
Responding to boycotters, Keys told the press,
“Music is a universal language that
is meant to unify audiences in peace and love, and that is the spirit of our
show.”
Elton John, on stage in Tel Aviv, raised a
clenched fist and shouted, “Shalom! We’re so happy to be back here! Ain’t
nothing gonna stop us from coming, baby!”
Rather than boycott Israel, well-known
musicians especially appreciate the country. Tablet Magazine’s Liel Leibovitz
writes that Israel’s top security offers the famous a brief holiday in which to
see the sites, and the closely connected, relaxed Israeli music scene creates
opportunity for A List artists to enjoy night life in Tel Aviv, where locals
usually just “see celebrities as people.”
Speculation about whether or not stars will
cancel, or the latest commentary from Roger Waters (formerly of Pink Floyd and now
a boycott spokesman) can give the impression that musicians teeter on the verge
of agreeing with BDS. But BDS does not argue particular policies; they advocate
for the elimination of the Jewish state, demanding all of Israel for Palestine.
Some
with this view send death threats, like Islamist cleric Omar Bakri who
broadcasted before Paul McCartney’s concert, "If
he values his life, Mr. McCartney must not come to Israel."
In Tel Aviv, Sir Paul told the press, “My
little bit is to try to bring people together through music…It seems to me that
most of the people are quite moderate and would like a solution…They want the
governments to decide quite quickly on two states, on two nations rather than
this conflict.”
After all, how likely is it for musicians, who
include Israel on a world tour, suddenly to align themselves against a goal of peace
for two nations and boycott their own show?
