Dear Ms. Margaret Atwood,
Today, as systematic human rights violations continue to be committed by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people, we are appealing to you on behalf of the Montreal-based collective Tadamon! and Art Threat concerning your planned visit to Tel Aviv.
We have learned that you have been offered the Dan David Prize from the Tel Aviv University for your outstanding literary work. First, we want to openly recognize your work, renowned not only for literary excellence but also for the humanistic message it portrays. Beyond literature your sincere advocacy for social justice, from the struggle for women’s liberation to environmental protection, has made you an international role model who people respect and admire.
This is particularly true in Canada, where you hold a special place in the hearts of people in Canada. It is precisely for this reason that we appeal to you to reconsider accepting this award.
It is well known that the Israeli government systematically abuses the human rights of the Palestinian citizens living in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Documentation of human rights violations against Palestinians can be found in the U.N. Goldstone Report, which concluded that “the conduct of the Israeli armed forces constitutes grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention in respect of willful killings and willfully causing great suffering to protected persons and, as such, give rise to individual criminal responsibility”.
It is not uncommon for internationally known voices for human rights, such as you, to be invited to travel to Israel to accept prizes from Israeli institutions. However, today the open cooperation of human rights advocates with Israeli institutions lends credibility to Israel and indirectly endorses the actions of the Israeli government. In fact, your presence at Tel Aviv University would particularly legitimize Israeli colonial policies due to the University’s active support of these policies, which were outlined in another letter written to you by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI).
The invitation to accept such a prize in Israel is an excellent opportunity for you to increase international awareness about the apartheid reality currently facing the Palestinian people. Lending your voice to the international campaign in solidarity with the Palestinians would be a positive step in the growing role of artists in Canada who are joining the international solidarity movement for Palestine, such as the 500 artists from Montreal who issued a collective letter this past winter.
Today, we would like to encourage you to join other prominent artists such as Arundhati Roy, Ahdaf Soueif, John Berger, Rawi Hage and Eduardo Galeano in denouncing Israeli apartheid policies by joining the growing international artistic campaign to support the global boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against the Israel.
This global initiative is inspired by the successful South African Academic and Cultural Boycott and is also intended to encourage Israeli artists to speak out against Israel’s policies of apartheid. As Enuga S. Reddy, Director of the U.N. Centre Against Apartheid wrote in 1984 about South African artists, “they need to be persuaded to stop entertaining apartheid, to stop profiting from apartheid money and to stop serving the propaganda purposes of the apartheid regime”.
You have gained international respect and prominence for your outspoken promotion of social justice and human rights. We therefore hope that you will take this opportunity to demonstrate commitment to the ideals which you express in your writing.
As you have so powerfully written, “A voice is a human gift; it should be cherished and used, to utter fully human speech as possible. Powerlessness and silence go together,” so today we are appealing for you to use your voice to support the Palestinian people who are often voiceless.
In respect and solidarity,
Tadamon! collective and Art Threat
Canada, May 2010
Photo courtesy of ActiveStills.org.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
All that was said on the Goldstone report is completely false story and vision Go to the next linkhttp://www.mfa.gov.il/gazafacts
It is great to see this, I also wrote Margaret Atwood an email. Hopefully she sees the truth and makes the right decision.
Apparently Atwood has decided to take Israel's cheque. How quintessentially Canadian. 'Oppositional intellectual' indeed. Shame on you Maggie!
Mrs Atwood has already accepted this blood stained prize.
Palestine seems to be the ultimate test of honesty. Palestinians being Arabs and majority Muslims seem to be the world's most safe people to pick on and have no care in the world for any potential consequences. To make things even worse for victimized Palestinians is the fact that their conflict with Jews (or more accurately victimization by Jews) who insist on forcefully holding the title of perpetual victims no matter what atrocities they commit in Palestine. This is not to defame Jews, but to make a point that Jewish insistence on their ultra victimhood status even 65 years after the holocaust and almost 62 of continued victimization of Palestinians is beyond comprehension. Mrs Atwood has lost her credibility for selling her soul to the devil and receiving payment to keep her mouth shut and white wash this genocidal racist apartheid entity. The Israeli system of apartheid has to be dismantled there is no other way around that. Palestinians have waited for so long to be treated like the rest of humanity. BDS (Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions) Israel NOW
Good to see that Ms. Atwood accepted her award and was not persuaded by antisemitic tropes and canards.
The existence of the Zionist entity in the heart of the Arab-Muslim is in itself a strange
Because the Zionist entity is not shared with the Arab world, anything that characteristics such as religion, customs
Traditions and language. The existence of Israel within the Arab world is a big mistake, and constant tension
In the Middle East also note since 1948. Such as the entry of foreign objects inside the human body begins
Body fever, tension and fatigue and to ensure even go out foreign objects.
To all Arab and Islamic countries to form the Ministry of Defence and one common to all States and the expulsion of the Jews
From the Middle East. This is the best choice for Arabs and Jews in that one because he Bjrdasiraiil within the Arab world
Will feel the Arab world would not be true of the world would not be true of the Jewish people will never feel the stability and comfort, but if
Came out of Palestine, all Palestine greetings to all