Elvis Costello boycotts Israel, cancels concerts

[marmar]

from the Guardian UK:




Elvis Costello cancels concerts in Israel in protest at treatment of Palestinians
Singer says he acted on 'conscience', as he joins a list of performers who have boycotted Israel for political reasons

Vikram Dodd, and Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 18 May 2010 18.50 BST


Elvis Costello has cancelled two concerts he was scheduled to play in Israel in protest at its treatment of Palestinians.

Costello, one of the most gifted British songwriters of his generation, was due to play on 30 June and 1 July but says his "conscience" dictated that he pull out of the performances.

He joins a list of performers who have decided not to play in Israel, including Gil Scott-Heron and Santana.

On his website, Costello wrote: "Then there are occasions when merely having your name added to a concert schedule may be interpreted as a political act that resonates more than anything that might be sung and it may be assumed that one has no mind for the suffering of the innocent.

"I must believe that the audience for the coming concerts would have contained many people who question the policies of their government on settlement and deplore conditions that visit intimidation, humiliation or much worse on Palestinian civilians in the name of national security.

"I am also keenly aware of the sensitivity of these themes in the wake of so many despicable acts of violence perpetrated in the name of liberation. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/may/18/elvis-costello-cancels-israel-concerts

[taterguy]

1. And yet he has no problem playing in Wilkesboro

[KamaAina]

4. Who's being oppressed in N.C.?

:shrug:

[taterguy]

6. Who isn't?

[Scurrilous]

2. His aim is true.

:thumbsup:

[progressoid]

3. +1

[Toucano]

7. +2 n/t

[Barack_America]

18. Perfect. nt

[BurtWorm]

24. Not just another mouthful of lipstick vogue.

:thumbsup:

[unabelladonna]

5. fine with me...

and now that i'm aware of this i can boycott any new recordings by misters costello, santana and scott-heron. somehow, i have a feeling israel will manage without this crew.

[devilgrrl]

11. I'm sure they won't lose sleep over it.

eom

[fascisthunter]

15. oh, Israel will do what it does, but it probably wouldn't do it without our financial support

I as a democrat and liberal sure as hell don't support any right wing government, even in Israel. I see more boycotts in Israel's future until the right wing is taken out of power.

[marmar]

19. Wow....You might put them in the poorhouse.....

:eyes:

[MattSh]

20. Somehow...

I don't think you were going to buy them anyway, so no loss there.

:crazy:

[gmoney]

8. ...aw man, now I gotta go all the way back to the Tel Aviv Ticketmaster.

Actually, while I was a huge fan back in the day, I recently opted not to see Elvis when he played a venue about 200 yards from my house.

[KonaKane]

9. Bravo.

It's about time more artists started taking a stand against the Israeli govt policy in regards to Palestinians.

[customerserviceguy]

10. So, has anyone under the age of 30 even heard of him?

Not that I'm dissing him (I was a big fan of "The Other Side of Summer") but really, what's the guy done lately? It's like the non-Donny Osmond brothers making a political statement, who would care?

[Scurrilous]

12. He's been busy :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Costello

All kinds of good stuff. :thumbsup:

[customerserviceguy]

13. I hadn't heard of any of that stuff

but then, I don't keep up on the popular music scene. I'm happy with my hard drive full of oldies but goodies.

I appreciate the update, thanks!

[Scurrilous]

17. You're welcome.

:thumbsup:

[Lance_Boyle]

23. Not to mention his appearance on the last Colbert X-mas special.

The one guy-in-a-bear-suit appearance Comedy Central DIDN'T kill on terrorists' demand.

[customerserviceguy]

26. Ah, I miss a lot by having only REALLY basic cable

Channels 2-21 for about twenty bucks a month, and if you take away the shopping, religious, and Spanish-language channels, I really only have about 13 of them, plus TV Guide channel, to taunt me with all the stuff I can't get. Unfortunately, Comedy Central is one I don't get.

I swear, the Amish get better choices on TV than I have...

[RainDog]

21. He's also in the new David Simon series, Treme

and he did work to help Hurricane Katrina victims with other NOLA musicians (which is what his role in the show is about as well.)

[JI7]

29. it's better than most of the crap that is popular with young people these days

[fascisthunter]

14. good on ya Elvis

[fascisthunter]

16. Good!

and for this I respect him for something other than his talents.

[RainDog]

22. Israel looks more and more like South Africa. n/t

[blondeatlast]

25. Nice. Even my 13 year old loves him thatnks to The Colbert Christmas Special.

Nice to know he's setting a good example for my son.

[Ignis]

27. "Ain't gonna play Sun City"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjWENNe29qc

[terrapinwelcher]

28. Whatever

Like I even care what entertainers promote or pan. Maybe he can go play in Teheran or Damascus.

[marmar]

30. Bitter, party of one.

[tkmorris]

31. I hope he orders the pizza