Re: British ban on Israeli musicians

[Shirona <shirona...>]

Kol Hakavod Eliott, I wholeheartedly agree with you too.  I just sent a
letter to the British musician's union myself, in an effort to expose the
utter hypocrisy of the British, and for that matter - ALL of Europe - but I
agree that getting organized and being proactive in a collective manner is
urgent.

This is what I wrote to the British musicians union:

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Dear Mr. Smith,

Considering all the atrocities the British committed throughout the world,
most specifically in the Middle East during the British Mandate (like
sending ships filled with Holocaust refugees back to Europe) - what are you
trying to "prove" to yourselves with the proposed ban on Israeli
musicians...?  Have you no shame?

Shirona
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I don't think that the world is ready to give up their favorite,
tried-and-true scapegoat - the Jews.  Not even musicians, whom I would like
to think of as somewhat more "enlightened" than the rest. With a "collective
conscience" (albeit disabled by denial...) weighed-down with guilt - the
pressure must be relieved somehow. Hypocrisy, double-standards, blaming the
"other" rather than examining "self" - seem to be working just fine for the
Europeans.  So what ARE we going to do about it...?

Shirona
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Singer, Songwriter and Teacher of Jewish Music
 Visit my website at    www.shirona.com
Listen to my music at www.mp3.com/shirona
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

----- Original Message -----
From: "Eliott Kahn" <Elkahn (at) JTSA(dot)EDU>
To: "World music from a Jewish slant" <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 10:55 AM
Subject: Re: British ban on Israeli musicians


> I agree wholeheartedly with both Judy and Adam Davis. I've received enough
disturbing reports from one of our staff who have visited Spain recently.
These, combined with other reports from some List members and other friends,
gives me real reason to be concerned that we Jews in North America really
need to SPEAK OUT about what looks like a clear case of rising anti semitism
in Europe.  This motion before the London musicians union--passed or
unpassed--should be the issue that galvanizes us as both musicians and Jews.
>
> It would appear that supporters of the Palestinians are winning the
propaganda war because there are so many Arab nationals in Europe. But,
unfortunately, it is the choice of the Europeans whether to believe this
dangerous racism against Jews or not. My greatest concern is that it is not
falling on deaf ears, and the Europeans seem to always find a reason to hate
or distrust us Jews.
>
> If someone could think of a powerful venue to send it, I would like to
draft some sort of acceptable statement and have as many folks on this list
line up behind it as possible, and send it, publish it, or present it there.
>
> All of the research I've done on Germany before the wars and my gut
instinct tells me that we really need to speak out to the greater community.
Just blowing off steam amongst ourselves is really "preaching to the choir."
>
> If anyone has concrete suggestions, please write me off-list. Hopefully,
if we put our heads together, we can come up with something.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Eliott Kahn
>
> Dr. Eliott Kahn
> Music Archivist
> Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
> 3080 Broadway
> New York, NY 10027
> WK: (212) 678-8076
> FAX (212) 678-8998
> elkahn (at) jtsa(dot)edu
>
>
>
> At 09:38 AM 1/21/03 -0500, you wrote:
> >Thanks to Abbi, we know this was not passed. So, for the present, it's
not
> >an issue.
> >
> >However, in the future, the people who want to try to get these bans of
all
> >sorts put on Israeli musicians and intellectuals are going to have to
> >understand something ---that no one is going to sit idly by and let those
> >deeds go without response and counter action. We all know where it
> >complacency leads.
> >
> >Judy
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Judith R Cohen" <judithc (at) YorkU(dot)CA>
> >To: "World music from a Jewish slant" <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
> >Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 6:30 AM
> >Subject: British ban on Israeli musicians
> >
> >
> >> A colleague from London sent a message yesterday saying the ban on
> >> Israeli musicians and British musicians travelling to Israel is "ONLY"
> >> for the BMU Central London local. I haven't had a response to my
message
> >> to the BMU asking for clarification.Judith
> >>
> >> (Judy Pinnolis -
> >> >.... We'll see how far this goes. If they're smart, not far....
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
>
>
>


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