quatre músics de la London Philharmonic suspesos de treball i sou per una carta en contra de l'actuació de l'Orquestra d'Israel als PROMS

Quatre músics de la London Philharmonic han sigut suspesos de treball i sou durant nou mesos per una carta publicada al Independent. La carta era una més de les mesures de protesta per la invitació de l'Orquestra d'Israel als PROMS de Londres. Al voltant d'aquesta visita s'han organitzat diversos actes de protesta, àdhuc dins l'Albert Hall en la mateixa actuació. Podem estar d'acord o no en les protestes, pensar si són justes o no, pensar que l'Orquestra d'Israel és un instrument de propaganda del seu país i actuar-hi en consonància, etc. Però suspendre durant nou mesos de treball i sou a uns músics per publicar una carta en contra de la invitació de la citada agrupació als PROMS, senzillament ens sembla un disbarat. Aquesta és la carta, jutgeu vosaltres mateix

As musicians we are dismayed that the BBC has invited the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra to play at the Proms on 1 September. The IPO has a deep involvement with the Israeli state – not least its self-proclaimed “partnership” with the Israeli Defence Forces. This is the same state and army that impedes in every way it can the development of Palestinian culture, including the prevention of Palestinian musicians from travelling abroad to perform.

Our main concern is that Israel deliberately uses the arts as propaganda to promote a misleading image of Israel. Through this campaign, officially called “Brand Israel”, denials of human rights and violations of international law are hidden behind a cultural smokescreen. The IPO is perhaps Israel ‘s prime asset in this campaign.

The Director of the Proms, Roger Wright, was asked to cancel the concert in accordance with the call from the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott (PACBI). He rejected this call, saying that the invitation is “purely musical”.

Israel’s policy towards the Palestinians fits the UN definition of apartheid. We call on the BBC to cancel this concert.

Derek Ball (composer)

Frances Bernstein (community choir leader)

Steve Bingham (violinist)

John Claydon (saxophonist)

Malcolm Crowthers (music photographer)

Raymond Deane (composer)

Tom Eisner (violinist LPO)

Nancy Elan (violinist LPO)

Deborah Fink (soprano)

Catherine Ford (violinist, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment)

Reem Kelani (Palestinian singer, musician and broadcaster)

Les Levidow (violinist)

Susie Meszaros (violinist, Chilingirian Quartet)

Roy Mowatt (violinist, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment)

Ian Pace (pianist)

Leon Rosselson (singer-songwriter)

Dominic Saunders (pianist)

Chris Somes-Charlton (artist manager)

Leni Solinger (violinist)

Sarah Streatfeild (violinist LPO)

Sue Sutherley (cellist, LPO)

Tom Suarez (violinist, New York)

Kareem Taylor (Oud Player/Guitarist and Composer)

Miriam Walton (pianist, organist and French horn player)