Writers, activists said a performance would help “whitewash Israel's practices”
Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has called off a series of performances scheduled to be held in Israel later this month, in the wake of an appeal made by 85 artistes, writers and activists.
The Indian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (INCACBI) had appealed to Mr. Hussain ‘as an artiste of conscience' to cancel the scheduled performance since it would “lend a stamp of approval to Israeli policies of colonialism, apartheid and occupation.”
Ethical concerns
INCACBI has questioned Israel's admittance into the global cultural arena when it “does not respect international law and recognise the Palestinian people's right to freedom, equality and justice.” The forum urged him to reflect upon the “ethical implications” of performing in Israel, which would help “whitewash Israel's practices.”
INCACBI was formed in 2010 in India, in response to the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel. It contributes to international pressure on the country to abandon military aggression, legal discrimination and persecution against Palestinians.
Writer and activist Githa Hariharan, member of INCACBI, told The Hindu that Mr. Hussain calling off the tour was “great news” and that all his fans would be glad to hear. She said writer Vikas Swarup had also cancelled his visit to Israel in May for an international writers' festival.
Thanking Mr. Hussain on their Facebook page, INCACBI said: “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.”
The petition was signed by several writers, artists, film-makers and theatrepersons, including Gargi Sen, Githa Hariharan, Dhruv Sangari, Vidya Rao, Saeed Mirza, Sudanwa Deshpande, M.K. Raina, N. Pushpamala, Ram Rahman, Amar Kanwar, Sheba Chhachhi, Saba Hasan, Ayisha Abraham and Anand Patwardhan.
However, according to the entry on the Facebook page of concert organiser Avshalom Farjun, Mr. Hussain has “postponed” his visit because of safety concerns, as per the communication received from him. It says his proposed visit to Israel met with opposition and he received appeals to cancel it in person and via an online petition bearing the signatures of more than 85 Indian artists.
The communication from the maestro's manager, according to Mr. Farjun's post, also mentioned the decision to cancel the programme was difficult for a man who believed that “music is the universal language of peace” and hoped to visit Israel later.
Last February, the maestro performed at a solidarity concert and a fundraising event here to develop music therapy programmes for Palestinian refugee children.
Keywords: Zakir Hussain, Israel concerts, Indian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, INCACBI
Now these are the list of countries which should be boycotted by Indian cultural Academic;Iran,Saudi Arabia,Syria,Egypt,Pakistan (Non muslims are considered as second citizen),turkey(KURDS have no rights),China(Still consider tibet as their country)
In Israel Arab cirizens have equal rights to educatio, and in job.
get equal benifits of medial and unemployment.
I am proud Indian jew staying in Israel.
Hmmmm. Would the Indian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel also condemn the denial of religious freedoms and rights to non-Muslims in countries such as Saudi Arabia?
So when would it call for cultural boycott of Saudi Arabia, Iran and lately Egypt
which are severely oppressing its religious minorities, denying them rights to
pratice their religion or in proseltyzation? Or is it going to a selective indigation?
Why this logic is not applied for pakistan? Where were these people when
Mumbai terror attacks happened? Zakir Hussian stays in USA more than in
India. He performs & also runs an academy in USA. And USA is biggest
supporter & patron of Israel. So how he performing in US is acceptable?
I think its so unfair to mix art with Politics. Zakir Hussain is
respected all over the world not because of his ethnicity or caste or
religion. he is respected for his art.
Unfortunately in India everything is politicized and divided in
religion. Israel is a Nation where there is so much religious freedom
to all . no one is discriminated in the lines of religion. But some
how Indian community is not at all able to see that.
we should not forget that the Govt of India has so many "Military "
ties with Israel.
Sir, It is wrong to combine music and politics, Zakir Hussain was wrong
in refusing to visit Israel purely on political ground . Perhaps he
could do more by visiting Israel and use this opportunity to voice his
concern about human rights. On the one side his assertion about
universal appeal of music, but he acted quite contrarily . This action
should be dubbed as hypocrite .
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