Thoughts on politics, religion and culture from a Levantine straddling two worlds but feeling comfortable in neither.
Away from the obvious condemnation of the method of Death threats (in any context that it is), I think the lebanese who called for the boycott do have a case.He is very funny, and he is very talented, but in a place so overcharged with politics, you can't let any remark or gesture without a political meaning. Have I been there, I wouldn't have gone to his concert. I wouldn't want to support someone who in the aftermath of two terrible bloodshed by the israelis (to mention the last two), would come out to promote that state and say that it is a "Healthy, Balanced" society. Simply put, I can't see myself there.
Yazan,Perhaps I have missed something but what I saw of his statements were fairly bland. The accusation of him serving in the Israeli army does not seem to be true or even plausible. That he paraded around in an IDF uniform was denied by his agent. Obviously if either of these last two were true, then I fully agree with you.However, if the boycott is based on non-political statements about Israeli society as a whole, then I disagree. Being Jewish he clearly will have some attachment with the Jews of Israel. One cannot ask him to deny his Jewish heritage and he has certainly does not disavow his Moroccan heritage. Besides, why single him out? There many entertainers who have performed in Arab countries that have made much bolder statements in support of Israel who have not been boycotted.Besides, I think that Hizbullah should not be wasting its time on inconsequential trivial pursuits. If they want to boycott Israeli supporters in way that has a real impact, let them boycott the Starbucks cafes that have mushroom all over Beirut. The CEO of Starbucks is a dyed in the wool zionist who donates millions to Israeli causes.Come to think if it, this must be the first time we disagree :-).
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Away from the obvious condemnation of the method of Death threats (in any context that it is), I think the lebanese who called for the boycott do have a case.
He is very funny, and he is very talented, but in a place so overcharged with politics, you can't let any remark or gesture without a political meaning. Have I been there, I wouldn't have gone to his concert. I wouldn't want to support someone who in the aftermath of two terrible bloodshed by the israelis (to mention the last two), would come out to promote that state and say that it is a "Healthy, Balanced" society. Simply put, I can't see myself there.
Yazan,
Perhaps I have missed something but what I saw of his statements were fairly bland. The accusation of him serving in the Israeli army does not seem to be true or even plausible. That he paraded around in an IDF uniform was denied by his agent. Obviously if either of these last two were true, then I fully agree with you.
However, if the boycott is based on non-political statements about Israeli society as a whole, then I disagree. Being Jewish he clearly will have some attachment with the Jews of Israel. One cannot ask him to deny his Jewish heritage and he has certainly does not disavow his Moroccan heritage.
Besides, why single him out? There many entertainers who have performed in Arab countries that have made much bolder statements in support of Israel who have not been boycotted.
Besides, I think that Hizbullah should not be wasting its time on inconsequential trivial pursuits. If they want to boycott Israeli supporters in way that has a real impact, let them boycott the Starbucks cafes that have mushroom all over Beirut. The CEO of Starbucks is a dyed in the wool zionist who donates millions to Israeli causes.
Come to think if it, this must be the first time we disagree :-).
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