Sir, – In his discussion of the call for a cultural boycott of Israel, Fintan O’Toole (Weekend Review, May 19th) has more to say about events in Limerick in 1904 than about what is happening in the Occupied Palestinian Territories today. He appears to be quite unaware of the large body of writing by supporters of the boycott campaign – among them many of the Irish artists who joined him in supporting the boycott of South Africa three decades ago – which addresses many of the objections that have been raised to the boycott call, including his own.
And his arguments would be better received if he had found a few words of criticism for Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, who generated much of the heat of recent controversy by abusing his ministerial office to smear Palestinian solidarity activists. One side of this debate has been conducting itself with dignity and integrity in the face of slander and lies. Unfortunately, that is the side O’Toole chooses to criticise. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Raymond Deane (May 16th) repeats that the “venom” directed at Dervish followed rather than preceded the decision by the group to cancel its Israel tour, and came from supporters of Israel.
How strange then that Dervish themselves claimed from the beginning that the venom was directed at them by anti-Israel activists following their announcement of the tour.
According to lead singer Cathy Jordan (Home News, May 4th), “Although I was aware of the concerns with our proposed visit to Israel, I wasn’t quite prepared for the extent of the venom directed at us.” – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Let me assure Alan Shatter (Home News, May 9th) that as an Irish artist I will not be influenced by the Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign or any other such body to not have any cultural dealings with Israel.
I have resisted its influence in the past and will continue to do so.
I am, I can assure him, well able to make up my own mind on this matter when and if that time arises in the future and agree with many that change will only come when cultural ideas are exchanged and not waved as weapons from behind walls.
The IPSC is a small and minor group with an excessively loud voice and any composer worth his/her salt will know that a great noise does not guarantee good music. This time they have gone too far with their barracking.
I wish the group Dervish well and sincerely believe that they should reconsider their decision to not tour Israel in the spirit of cultural exchange at its most subtle. – Yours, etc,