RI
Following the statement issued by Ken Lochthe on August 2006 for cultural boycotting of Israel a group of acclaimed British artists in a letter published in the Guardian on Friday 15 December called on British writers and artists to undertake a "cultural boycott" of Israel.
Loch, the the British director and winner of year 2006 Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival, an artist who is known for his politically and socially engaged films, has declared in a personal statement his support of "the call by Palestinian film-makers, artists and others to boycott state sponsored Israeli cultural institutions and urges others to join their campaign".
In his statement he said:
"I support the call by Palestinian film-makers, artists and others to boycott state sponsored Israeli cultural institutions and urge others to join their campaign.
Palestinians are driven to call for this boycott after forty years of the occupation of their land, destruction of their homes and the kidnapping and murder of their civilians.
They have no immediate hope that this oppression will end.
As British citizens we have to acknowledge our own responsibility. We must condemn the British and US governments for supporting and arming Israel. We must also oppose the terrorist activities of the British and US governments in pursuing their illegal wars and occupations.
However, it is impossible to ignore the appeals of Palestinian comrades. Consequently, I would decline any invitation to the Haifa Film Festival or other such occasions."
The celebrated novelist, critic and artist John Berger on his letter to the Guardian co-signed by, among the 95 signatories, the artist Cornelia Parker, the musician Brian Eno, and writers Arundhati Roy and Ahdaf Soueif, Berger calls for support for the boycott.
He said of the boycott: "Of course its effects will not be gigantic but it is a way of not staying silent. It is a very personal call ... a way of encouraging the very courageous Israelis who oppose their government and an encouragement to Palestinians to somehow go on surviving." ...
to see the letter go @The Guardian
to see the Ken Loch statement go@ the Electronic
