June 15, 2012

Zakir Hussain, famous Indian musician, cancels #Israel gig after INCACBI petition (http://www.incacbi.in/appeal-zakir-hussain-cancel-performance-israel-july-2012) http://www.haaretz.com/culture/arts-leisure/prominent-indian-musician-cancels-israel-appearance-1.435684 #BDS

Dear Zakir Hussain,

The members of INCACBI and all your Indian fans are so glad to hear you have cancelled your performance in Israel scheduled for July 2012.

No artist can create or perform without paying attention to the injustice in the world around him, or the bravery of people’s struggles such as the one in Palestine. As someone who makes wonderful music, we are happy you have remembered this.

We do hope you will join INCACBI (www.incacbi.in) and show the way to other Indian artists, musicians, filmmakers and writers to speak up for a just peace in Palestine and an end to apartheid .

We would also like to add a postscript: rumours from Israel that Palestinians were going to be invited to the concert and given entry permits to attend should be treated with the contempt they deserve.  Such familiar public relations stunts -- attempted most recently during Madonna's visit to Israel -- only underlines the fact that the Israeli government uses Palestinians to whitewash its crimes.  

Thank you again.

For INCACBI (The Indian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel)

1. Gargi Sen (Filmmaker, Convener)
2. Githa Hariharan (Writer, Convenor)
3. Dhruv Sangari (Musician)
4. Vidya Rao (Editor, Singer)
5. Saeed Mirza (Filmmaker)
6. Sudanwa Deshpande (Theatreperson)
7. M.K. Raina (Theatre person)
8. N. Pushpamala (Artist)
9. Ram Rahman (Artist)
10. Amar Kanwar (Artist)
11. Sheba Chhachhi (Artist)
12. Saba Hasan (artist)
13. Ayisha Abraham (Artist)
14. Anand Patwardhan (filmmaker)
15. and 85 others from INCACBI www.incacbi.in