Oslo June 27, 2011 Dear Paul Simon, We are musicians, singers and songwriters from Norway who are deeply concerned about the situation in Palestine and Israel. The Israeli occupation is….
Oslo June 27, 2011
Dear Paul Simon,
We are musicians, singers and songwriters from Norway who are deeply concerned about the situation in Palestine and Israel. The Israeli occupation is oppressing and humiliating the Palestinians on a daily basis, for example by illegal settlements, restrictions on movement (checkpoints in the West Bank), and the ethnic cleansing of East Jerusalem, including the demolishing of Palestinian homes.
We can see how the building of Israeli settlements and infrastructure on the West Bank is reducing the Palestinian land and dividing it into ‘bantustans’. We notice that the right-wing regime in Israel has no intention of giving up these policies, as was clearly demonstrated by Mr. Nethanyau on his recent visit to US, where he bluntly rejected President Obama’s conditions for peace.
Our simple and solemn wish is for the people of Palestine and Israel to live in peace like good neighbours. The only way to achieve this is to stop the occupation. When the occupant shows no sign of compromise or respect for UN resolutions and human rights, we see no reason for supporting it with our songs and music.
Therefore we agree with the message given to you in the letter from Professor Haim Bresheeth, Mike Cushman and Professor Jonathan Rosenhead, dated London, June 6, 2011.
Paul Simon, you have been an idol and inspiration for us, both for your songs and your social and political conscience. We appeal to you to consider this issue carefully, and as a result of that, cancel your concert in Israel in July!
Best wishes,
Ragnar Olsen, musician and songwriter
Mari Boine, singer, songwriter and musician
Morten Lorentzen, musician
Dag Kajander, composer and musician
Geirr Lystrup, musician
Sverre Kjelsberg, musician
Ole M. Olsen, musician
Erik Honoré, musician and producer
Erik Hillestad, musician and producer
Hanna Furuseth, musician
Andreas Lind-Johansen, musician
Isak Anderssen, musician and composer
Rolf Undset Aakervik, musician
Frode Larsen, musician
Frode Grøtting, musician