The dangers of satire A blog by ‘John Brown’ in +972 magazine (27thNovember) reports on recent experiences of the Bedouin blogger Anas Abudaabes. The wild fires that swept through Northern Israel in mid-November provoked some Facebook posters in neighbouring countries into words of celebration. Abudaabes responded satirically, writing that the way to earn the respect of posters like these…
‘The National Puppet Theatre of Israel’ Habima, Israel’s National Theatre, has announced that in mid-November it will put on a show in Kiryat Arba. Kiryat Arba is a settlement in territory illegally occupied by Israel, and a place which, in the words of an editorial in Ha’aretz (26th October), ‘has become a symbol of the injustices of the…
The Edinburgh Fringe’s renowned open platform for all forms of artistic expression produced a curious juxtaposition this year, as Palestinians deployed creativity to shatter the bonds of political repression while Israeli state apologists cloaked a discredited political message in threadbare cultural clothing. The gulf between the two was demonstrated in the pages of Scotland’s press,…
Gaza’s celebrated Dawaween refused exit permits [photo Shadi Alqarra] Borders closed to musicians from Gaza Israel opens the door to Western performers, but as far as Palestinian artists are concerned, the borders are closed. Middle East Eye (23rd August) reports on two cases where singers and musicians from Gaza have been denied access to other parts of occupied…
The 2016 Edinburgh Fringe once again offers a much-needed platform for Palestinian artists to demonstrate their talent, creativity and vitality despite the extraordinary difficulties they face in their daily lives and in producing, exhibiting and performing their work. But this year “the biggest arts festival on the planet” has shocked friends of Palestine with a last minute addition to the…
In March 2016, Israel continued its assault on Palestinian media organisations by closing down the TV station, Palestine Today, and arresting some of its staff. The British government, so vocal at other times in its defence of ‘democratic values’, responded only with silence. The APUK collective sent this letter to the Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond,…
UPDATE: Globe actors defend playing in Israel “regardless of politics” Shakespeare’s Globe theatre has ignored Palestinian appeals and the good counsel of a number of their UK peers by going ahead with their performance of Hamlet at the Cameri Theatre in Tel Aviv on March 30. Showing either ignorance of, or disregard for the highly politicised nature of…
Why has Shakespeare’s Globe added a performance at Israel’s Cameri theatre on March 30 to the tour schedule for its production of Hamlet, in breach of the boycott of institutions that reinforce the oppression of Palestinian artists and their communities? This is the question addressed on Friday (March 25) to artistic director Dominic Dromgoole, as…
UPDATE: Israel invited 26 Oscar stars to visit. So far none has. One year on: this report is picked up in a number of outlets internationally. Oscar nominees in the top acting and directing categories, as well as the host at tonight’s ceremony, Chris Rock, have received invitations from a coalition of groups to visit Palestine…
Artists for Palestine UK (APUK) on Wednesday called on actors and directors on this year’s Oscars shortlist: ‘Give your Israeli swag bag to a Palestinian refugee!’ Mike Leigh, film director and five-times Oscar nominee said: “ A five-star trip to the land of their parents and grandparents is just what exhausted Palestinians from the refugee camps could…