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Analysis

Israel must act to discredit boycotters

September 6, 2012 16:00
1 min read

Last week Israeli dance troupe Batsheva’s performance at the Edinburgh Festival was repeatedly interrupted by a small number of protesters. Sadly, this is not the first time that Israeli artists performing in the UK have been targeted in this way. I, with the rest of the government, absolutely oppose this singling out of institutions and individuals for no other reason than they are from Israel.

Such action shows disdain for the fundamental principles of cultural freedom and tolerance which we cherish in the UK. Art often serves to brings together and unite people by expressing universal values. It should not be hijacked by crude political protest. The type of action we saw in Edinburgh is also misguided and counter-productive. The demonstrators’ actions, like those who would call for a boycott of Israel, do nothing to advance the cause of Middle East peace.

There is an important public debate ongoing in the UK, but it is not the one at the far fringes of political life. Rather, it is in the centre ground, where the issue is not opposition to Israel’s existence, or so-called “delegitimisation”, but a legitimate concern about the absence of progress on the Middle East peace process, on both sides.

Many ordinary British people, including many well meaning towards Israel, and utterly supportive of Israel’s security, are worried about the impact of Israel’s continued occupation, including abuses of human rights of the Palestinians and the continuous systematic expansion of settlements.