Soundgarden & Pixies to play Israel

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

Jason P wrote:

I don't see what the big deal is. It's not like Netanyahu is going to be hugging the rail and giving them the horns.

I gotta be honest....I'm not sure either. I mean , if anyone should boycott playing anywhere because of violence towards certain groups of people, both canada and the US should be on that list. Not just Israel.

Idris wrote:

Back in 2010 the Pixies were going to play in Israel, then pulled out at a later point, not sure if it really was due to a Boycott' or they were just concerned about personal safety.

Cornell has played in Israel (solo, twice?)
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I know Rage Against The Machine played in Israel. (just mentioning them)

Drowned Out wrote:

I think the BDS movement is an important tool for both raising awareness, and pressuring the target of the movement to change. There are different aspects of the movement, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.
Individuals choosing to boycott and divest from Israel will likely make little difference without a majority of people getting onboard, and even if we speak about our choice to support the movement to everyone we meet, I have to admit that I'm cynical about a grass-roots approach to awareness.
I think the academic boycott, while not very effective at pressuring the Israeli regime, has the potential benefit of influencing the way the conflict is discussed by students and academics. This could have a direct influence on the way history views the occupation. I would think that a drawback would be creating a more insular atmosphere in Israeli schools.
The participation of businesses, and large, private organizations is a big deal because it generates publicity (not in the mainstream press, mind you), and sparks debate amongst people of influence in board rooms and shareholder meetings around the world....plus, by hurting Israel financially, it likely begins to sway their business community toward change.
Obviously, the most effective way to pressure Israel would be Boycotts/Divestment/Sanctions on a state level (as in nation-state).
The cultural boycott is the only aspect I have any hesitation whatsoever in supporting (it's a small hesitation, I still support it). There is without doubt something to be said for the healing and unifying power of art. And from an awareness standpoint, artists potentially have the biggest soapbox from which to share their views. But I have never heard of any artist performing in Israel and publicly denouncing the apartheid system while doing so.

The problem, as VP pointed out, is that the checkpoints and travel restrictions make it virtually impossible for any Palestinians to attend. I also agree that the comparison to the US and Canada is flawed in the sense that, while we have horribly mistreated our indigenous populations, we have, for the most part, made them equal citizens in the eyes of the law and from a human rights perspective. In Israel, jews enjoy full rights and a somewhat fair legal system, while others live under a military legal system with their basic freedoms and rights severely restricted.

For Soundgarden and the Pixies to play there lends legitimacy to the Israeli regime as it makes it ok for other acts to book there in the future....the more acts that play there, the more 'normalcy' is achieved for the Israelis, the more the plight of the Palestinians is swept under the rug.
I hope both bands reconsider and cancel. If not, I hope they follow Roger Waters' 2006 example and move the concert to a site that is symbolic of peace, then take the time in the area to learn about the situation there as Waters did. There isn't much hope of that if Cornell has already been there twice, solo. I'd be curious to hear his views on the occupation. I can't help but think that most of these artists are either Zionists or intellectually too lazy to acknowledge what is happening with the Occupation.

regarding the 2006 concert Roger Waters performed in Israel: this is what he had to say about the notion of spreading peace and good will through art as a bridge in the conflict:

"The performance in Israel was great, I enjoyed it and the crowds were amazing. At the end of my performance, I said: "You are the generation that needs to lead toward peace with your neighbors" and suddenly, at that moment, the entire crowd became quiet."