The petition came ten days after the Israeli actors caused a storm when they released a petition stating they would not perform in West Bank settlements. Their move was prompted by reports that the theater companies were planning performances at the new cultural center in Ariel settlement.
Israeli media sources said that the petition, organized by the Jewish Voice for Peace organization, was signed by such Hollywood figures as Sex and the City actress Cynthia Nixon, award-winning playwright Tony Kushner (“Angels in American,” “Munich”), actress Jennifer Tilley (“Bullets Over Broadway”), Mandy Patinkin (“Princess Bride”), acclaimed British actress Vanessa Redgrave, co-founder of the Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv, Theodore Bikel and character actor and writer Wallace Shawn, who played the principal in “Clueless.”
“On Aug. 27th, dozens of Israeli actors, directors, and playwrights made the brave decision not to perform in Ariel, one of the largest of the West Bank settlements, which by all standards of international law are clearly illegal. “As American actors, directors, critics and playwrights, we salute our Israeli counterparts for their courageous decision,” the statement read.
“Most of us are involved in daily compromises with wrongful acts,” the petition noted. “When a group of people suddenly have the clarity of mind to see that the next compromise looming up before them is an unbearable one, and when they somehow find the strength to refuse to cross that line – we can’t help but be overjoyed and inspired and grateful.”
“It’s thrilling to see that these Israeli theater artists have refused to allow their work to be used to normalize a cruel occupation which they know to be wrong, which violates international law and which is impeding the hope for a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike. They made a wonderful decision and they deserve the respect of people everywhere who dream of justice. We stand with them.”
The Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot quoted the executive Director of Jewish Voice for Peace Rebecca Vilkomerson as saying “The response of American and UK artists to the actions of their courageous Israeli counterparts is just phenomenal. It is especially notable that so many of the signatories are Jewish with long-standing connections to Israel.”
“We hope that the strong show of solidarity will help spark a new conversation in both countries, one that acknowledges that the Jewish settlements in the occupied territories are illegal by every measure of international law, contribute to the daily violation of human rights of Palestinians, and are a major obstacle to a just peace in the region,” she added.
Shawn told the daily Haaretz that the Israeli artists’ refusal had touched him. They did something that could get them fired, and he found that inspiring, he said. Theater is the art of truth, and the Israeli artists are following their own truth, he said.
If they were to appear in Ariel they would be legitimizing something they do not agree with, said Shawn. If they do lose their jobs as a result of their stand, the world is watching and people will support them, he said.
Meanwhile, a US-based pro-Palestinian organization is planning to fly a plane-load of aid to Gaza Strip, in defiance of an Israeli blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory.
The Israeli Channel 2 television said that the flight was scheduled for this coming spring.
According to the report, the Free Palestine Movement activists are collecting money in San Francisco to fund the new, bigger flotilla.
The report said that the organizers of the flight had spent a year raising the funds required to charter the plane, which can be landed in places where there is no airport.
The report said that current initiative to send an aircraft into Gaza poses a unique security challenge as it will be difficult for Israeli forces to intercept an airplane without causing casualties. However, Israeli diplomatic pressure could still thwart the mission, the report said.
Israel sealed off land crossings with the Gaza Strip in June 2007 when Hamas movement seized control of the enclave. Israel claims that the blockade aims to prevent the entry of weapons and other materials that can be used in warfare against Israel.
But following an Israeli commando raid on a Turkish-led flotilla bound for Gaza on May 31, Israel relaxed its blockade due to international criticism after nine Turks were killed.
