#US/ Something missing from this "Nobel and Pulitzer winners" letter denouncing "‘dangerous’ Israel cultural boycott"

https://www.creativecommunityforpeace.com/blog/2024/10/29/authors/

By focusing solely on #Israel's "existential wars" against Hamas and Hezbollah, or referring to the “conflict,” (it’s an occupation, and asymmetric in every possible respect) the letter implicitly sidesteps the humanitarian crisis in #Gaza. An omission which allows the authors to present the situation as a straightforward struggle against terrorism, without acknowledging the occupation, or what Haaretz calls outright ethnic cleansing

Can’t ignore the fact that many of the signatories are Jewish. Some, including, Mayim Bialik, #Trump supporter David Mamet, Debra Messing, Sherry Lansing and others faced backlash for dehumanizing Palestinians, while justifying Israel’s war on Gaza. Even Aayan Hirsi Ali 🧐 is on the list, which is really disturbing given her background.

Also missing is information about Creative Community for Peace (#CCFP), the non-profit organization in the entertainment industry that “promotes dialogue and understanding regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” which has faced criticism for being associated with right-wing pro-Israel groups, such as #StandWithUs. Some will argue that CCFP serves as a front for these U.S. organizations, advocating for cultural engagement in #Israel while downplaying the impact of Israeli policies on Palestinians. Despite its claims of neutrality, CCFP's activities align closely with pro-Israel agendas, particularly in countering cultural boycotts. The tone of the document and the focus on terrorism as a primary driver of the conflict could be interpreted as aligning with StandWithUs's ideology.

Most importantly, the letter does not explicitly address the humanitarian crisis in #Gaza, but it implicitly frames the conflict as a defensive struggle against “terrorism,” potentially justifying Israel's actions.

See for example:

Mayim Bialik criticised for ‘demented’ post about Israel-Hamas war https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/mayim-bialik-israel-hamas-big-bang-theory-b2489241.html

Will & Grace actress Debra Messing slammed for ridiculing Motaz Azaiza's evacuation from Gaza https://www.newarab.com/news/debra-messing-slammed-mocking-gazas-motaz-azaiza-exit

[…]

@israel
@palestine
#OutlawIsrael
#IsraelWarCrimes
#IsraelOccupation

[followup] Quoting MK Tibi and Touma-Sliman: “There will be no need for UNRWA when the occupation ends and a Palestinian state is established”

MK Ahmad Tibi:

"Those who support this bill are those who do not recognize the Palestinian people. It is not new that they are trying here in the Knesset to stop the activity of UNRWA, even in the Knesset there is a convicted terrorist and they do not close the government, I wish this rule could apply to every body that has a convicted terrorist like this government (referring to Ben-Gvir). I defend the refugees, I defend the aid, and therefore I am against this law. This law is a fascist law. There will be no need for UNRWA when the occupation ends and a Palestinian state is established."​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

MK Aida Touma-Sliman:

"This bill is nothing but a direct continuation of the ethnic cleansing and genocide taking place in Gaza. This is a continuation of a deliberate starvation plan and criminal deprivation of humanitarian aid under the leadership of a criminal government […] It is not just an attempt to dismantle UNRWA, which employs 90,000 workers and is responsible for the education of 300,000 students in Gaza, 1,100 students in East Jerusalem and 40,000 students in the West Bank - but an attempt to erase all the foundations of life. The chairperson of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee stood here and hid from you that the moment the law is approved, all these students will be thrown into the streets and left without education and access to medical care because the State of Israel is not equipped to fill the huge void that will be created […] Those despicable proposers, who put their hopes on October 7th as a formative event to justify their proposal, came to the podium just before that date and did not hide their aspiration to eliminate UNRWA, on the pretext that the agency keeps the issue of Palestinian refugees alive. Even before that date, they tried to harm UNRWA offices and seize the lands on which they sit, but failed. Whoever talks about a 3,000-year-old refugee issue cannot cancel a 75-year-old refugee issue. No Palestinian wants to be a refugee. Do you really want to end the refugee issue? Remove the boot of occupation from the land of the Palestinians and allow the Palestinians the right of return to their homeland,"

@israel
@palestine
#IsraelWarCrimes
#IsraelOccupation
#OutlawIsrael #UNRWA