Assaf, an Israeli-American, writing at Daily Kos provided an interesting account of the intent of some Israeli actors to boycott newly built theaters located in West Bank settlements (see the BIG UPDATE),
The downside is evident in the title, Major Israeli Theaters Embrace The Settlements (+BIG UPDATE!), as it represents Israel’s colonialism as a fait accompli.
Some cultural news from Israel:
Several of Israel’s leading theater companies have agreed to perform in the new cultural center in the settlement of Ariel, due to open on November 8. The companies include the Habima National Theater, the Cameri Theater, the Be’er Sheva Theater and Jerusalem’s Khan Theater.
Ariel lies 20km inside the West Bank, deeper than any other sizable settlement. The divided highway leading to it – the best road in the West Bank – is open to Israelis only, and lacks any signs naming the numerous Palestinian towns and villages flanking the road. According to Peace Now’s 2006 settlement land report, 35% of Ariel’s area was confiscated from private Palestinian owners by military fiat. The rest is public land. No patch of Ariel’s lands was rightfully purchased. Occupied Palestinians are allowed into Ariel only with special permits.
Richard Silverstein’s coverage included the photo above of the cast of Cameri’s production of Caucasian Chalk Circle invited to perform in the settlement of Ariel, but refused.
Israeli Actors Refuse to Perform in Settlements
After Israel’s leading theater companies announced they would appear for the first time in an Israeli settlement, 40 Israeli actors, directors and producers signed a statement refusing to perform. They were to grace the boards of a new center for the arts, performing some of the treasures of the world canon (among them Brecht’s Caucasian Chalk Circle) for the good burghers of Ariel, known to its boosters as the “capital of Samaria.”
The artists’ statement said:
“We express contempt regarding the intent of the managements of theater companies to appear at Ariel’s new hall. We will refuse to appear in Ariel and in any other settlement. We call upon the management to restrict their theatrical activity to the sovereign borders of the State of Israel.”
So in the midst of the present right wing Likud government’s project to annex most of the West Bank, there are still detractors inside of Israel, left wing refusniks, who are willing to boycott Israel’s colonialism in the name of Palestinian rights.
