4 January 2014
Dearest Moddi,
Besieged Gaza, Palestine- We, academics, students and youth from besieged Gaza, wish to salute you for your principled and audacious decision not to entertain apartheid and violate the cultural boycott of Israel – a key aspect of the general BDS call from Palestinian civil society.
The moment we learned about your cancellation of the Tel Aviv show, we celebrated, with an obvious relief, the fact that someone is hearing our voices. Such a relief has become a rare commodity with the many escalating difficulties and challenges we have been enduring since Israel has imposed a medieval siege on our tiny strip. Just yesterday, 16-year-old Adnan Abu Khater died of his wounds after Israeli soldiers shot him in the leg east of Jabaliya. As this letter is penned, Gaza, the coastal, old and beautiful city that is no longer remembered for being the hub of historical sites, cultural hideaways and vibrant commerce, sinks into darkness with a continuous power outage for long hours daily. But you have reached us. Your act of solidarity has replaced our anxiety and frustration with hope, true hope, and replaced our pessimism with inspiration that there are more people in this world who won’t turn their backs on the calls for justice to arrive on our shores. Your connection with us goes beyond the mourning of our broken hearts.
By heeding our call, you have chosen to join a list of principled artists who have prioritized principles and altruistic commitment to human rights over immediate personal gains.
With deep regard and gratitude,
Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel
Gaza BDS Working Group
The One Democratic State Group – Gaza
University Teachers’ Association
Palestinian Students’ Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel
Related Links
Moddi, Don’t Entertain Israel, the Oppressor of Palestinians