PRESS RELEASE: Legendary USA hip-hop artist "Talib Kweli" cancels Israeli gig citing "Israeli Apartheid"
Talib Kewli, the African American rapper best known for his work in
Black Star, a collaboration with fellow MC
Mos Def, has announced that he will be cancelling his upcoming Israeli gig.
Kewli made the announcement in a string of Tweets via his official Twitter account. The online announcement came after engagements and discussions with fans, fellow artists as well as members of the Palestinian boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel movement. Talib Kweli tweeted on Wednesday, 02 July 2014:
"As much as I want to play Israel, I have decided not to in solidarity with Palestinians who will not have access to my show..."
"After days of discussions with many, I've decided to try & visit Israel & Palestine with those who fight to end the state of apartheid..."
"...rather than use my art to force the issue on those who would rather not deal with it..."
In 2005, Palestinian civil society called for an international boycott of Israel as a non-violent method to bring Israel in line with international law. The boycott has been modeled on the successful boycott of Apartheid South Africa and has an increasing number of progressive Israelis who also back the campaign.
Since the Palestinian call for a boycott against Israel was issued in 2005 several high profile artists, musicians and authors have cancelled Israeli performances and engagements including Stevie Wonder, Danny Glover, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, Alice Walker, Stephen Hawking, Mira Nair and the music band Faithless.
Kwara Kekana of BDS South Africa welcomed Talib Kewli's decision to boycott Israel: "Talib Kewli has done the right thing by not crossing the boycott of Israel picket line. As South Africans that once benefited from international support and boycotts we know the importance of international solidarity. Salute from South Africa to Talib Kewli.”
--------------------
Palestinian human rights activist, author, and co-founder of the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel movement,
Omar Barghouti, is currently in South Africa between the 3rd and and 8th of July. Barghouti is in the country as a guest of the War Resisters International Conference (4-8 July, Cape Town) co hosted with the Ceasefire Campaign. On Friday 04 July at 19h00, Barghouti will open the War Resisters International conference titled "Small Actions, Big Movements: The Continuum of Nonviolence" at Cape Town City Hall. The complete schedule of Omar Barghouti's South African speaking events is available here:
www.facebook.com/events/517087091752066/
--------------------
ISSUED ON 03 JULY 2014 BY MUHAMMED DESAI ON BEHALF OF BDS SOUTH AFRICA
BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT AND SANCTIONS AGAINST ISRAEL in SOUTH AFRICA (BDS SOUTH AFRICA)
11th Floor
| Braamfontein Centre
| 23 Jorissen Street
| Braamfontein
| Johannesburg
PO Box 2318 | Houghton
| 2041
| Johannesburg
T: +27 (0) 11 403 2097
| M: +27 (0) 84 211 9988
| F: +27 (0) 86 650 4836
W: www.bdssouthafrica.com | E: administrator@bdssouthafrica.com
www.facebook.com/bdssouthafrica | www.twitter.com/bdssouthafrica
BDS South Africa is a registered Non-Profit Organization. NPO NUMBER: 084 306 NPO
BDS South Africa is a registered Public Benefit Organisation with Section 18A status. PBO NUMBER: 930 037 446
