- Don't play Sun City, 21st century version Archived Message
- Don't play Sun City, 21st century version - Jackie February 5, 2019, 5:04 pm
- Re: Don't play Sun City, 21st century version - margo February 6, 2019, 12:33 pm
Posted by Jackie
on February 5, 2019, 5:04 pm
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The letter: Tue 29 Jan 2019 18.28 GMT Last modified on Tue 29 Jan 2019 18.30 GMT In May, the BBC intends to screen Eurovision 2019 from Israel. Eurovision may be light entertainment, but it is not exempt from human rights considerations – and we cannot ignore Israel’s systematic violation of Palestinian human rights. The European Broadcasting Union chose Tel Aviv as the venue over occupied Jerusalem – but this does nothing to protect Palestinians from land theft, evictions, shootings, beatings and more by Israel’s security forces. On 8 February, the BBC will screen You Decide, the show it says will “deliver the UK the artist it deserves to fly the flag out in Tel Aviv in May”. For any artist of conscience, this would be a dubious honour. They and the BBC should consider that “You Decide” is not a principle extended to the Palestinians, who cannot decide to remove Israel’s military occupation and live free of apartheid. Even Palestinians with Israeli citizenship were told in the nation-state law passed last year that only Jews have the “right to national self-determination”. When discrimination and exclusion are so deeply embedded, Eurovision 2019’s claim to celebrate diversity and inclusion must ring hollow. Much more in tune with “inclusivity” is the outpouring of support across Europe for the Palestinian call for artists and broadcasters not to go to Tel Aviv. The BBC is bound by its charter to “champion freedom of expression”. It should act on its principles and press for Eurovision to be relocated to a country where crimes against that freedom are not being committed. Peter Ahrends, architect Amir Amirani, filmmaker Jonathan Arndell, architect, artist Roy Battersby, director Bloody Knees, band brave timbers, band Jen Brister, comedian Carmen Callil, publisher, writer Taghrid Choucair-Vizoso, performer Julie Christie, actor Ian Christie, film historian, broadcaster Chipo Chung, actor Caryl Churchill, playwright Michael Darlow, tv writer and director Paula Darwish, musician April De Angelis, playwright Tam Dean Burn, actor Drones Club, band Nancy Elan, violin Gareth Evans, producer, curator Peter Gabriel, musician, founder WOMAD festival Lots Holloway, singer, songwriter Rachel Holmes, writer Brigid Keenan, author Patrick Keiller, artist, filmmaker Reem Kelani, musician, broadcaster AL Kennedy, writer Desmond Lambert, musician Mike Leigh, writer, director Ken Loach, director Sabrina Mahfouz, writer Miriam Margolyes, actor Yann Martel, writer Declan McKenna, singer, songwriter JD Meatyard, musician Pauline Melville, writer Giuliano Modarelli, musician, composer Object Blue, DJ Maxine Peake, actor Jocelyn Pook, composer TJ Rehmi, composer, producer Reverend & the Makers, band Leon Rosselson, songwriter Rrose, DJ Alexei Sayle, comedian, author David Scott, music producer Nick Seymour, musician Sarah Streatfeild, violin Roger Waters, musician Vivienne Westwood, fashion designer Wolf Alice, band https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/jan/29/the-bbc-should-press-for-eurovision-to-be-moved-from-israel 'The BBC said Eurovision was "not a political event and does not endorse any political message or campaign". A statement said: "The competition has always supported the values of friendship, inclusion, tolerance and diversity and we do not believe it would be appropriate to use the BBC's participation for political reasons. "Because of this we will be taking part in this year's event. The host country is determined by the rules of the competition, not the BBC." The European Broadcasting Union, which organises the contest, also emphasised the "non-political character of the event" and pointed out that preparations in Tel Aviv were already "well advanced".' https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-47054756 |
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