British cultural figures and political heavyweights including writers JK Rowling and Hilary Mantel and Conservative MP Eric Pickles are leading the charge against an arts boycott of Israel over its treatment of Palestinians.
The bestselling authors and fellow opponents of the embargo, including actress Zoe Wanamaker and historian Simon Schama, have signed an open letter published in the Guardian newspaper calling for dialogue to resolve the conflict and rejecting the need for a boycott of cultural institutions.
Launching what the signatories called ‘Culture for Coexistence’, described as a network for dialogue, they opposed an earlier letter published in February calling for a cultural embargo.
“We won’t play music, accept awards, attend exhibitions, festivals or conferences, run masterclasses or workshops, until Israel respects international law and ends its colonial oppression of the Palestinians,” the letter concluded.
Senior vice president of the Board of Deputies, a Jewish community group, Richard Verber told the Jewish Chronicle that “we have always argued that boycotts do nothing to encourage dialogue and peace in a complex and troubled region.”
“We encourage people to channel their energies and efforts into supporting groups which promote co-existence and mutual respect,” he added.
This piece was reprinted by RINF Alternative News with permission or license.
Via RT.