Israeli concert in Scotland disrupted by pro-Palestine activists

Wednesday September 03, 2008 11:51 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

At an international music festival themed “Artists without Borders,” a performance by an Israeli band was interrupted by pro-Palestine demonstrators who said the musicians were complicit in crimes against the Palestinian people.

The accusation referenced the fact that every Israeli citizen not only funds the occupation of Palestinian land, but also serves in the military for at least two years, thus directly participating in a military occupation that has been condemned by international human rights groups and violates the Fourth Geneva Convention. That occupation has been ongoing since 1967.

The protesters who disrupted the August 29th concert were arrested, but it is unknown what their charges are. The Jerusalem String Quartet was the band targeted for protest, which included not only the disruption of the concert but also a peaceful protest outside.

Meanwhile, Palestinian performers in the Edinburgh International Festival had difficulties passing through the Israeli-controlled borders to reach the “Artists Without Borders” festival. According to one actor, Reem Talhami, “being an artist is not an easy life anyway, but being a Palestinian artist is even harder and more complicated. In Palestine, you can’t plan your day, you can’t plan anything and in this sort of situation, you will never be able to.”

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