Legendary Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil canceled his performance in Tel Aviv, Israel scheduled for July 4 citing a “general sentiment of apprehension.”
Palestinians welcome news that Gilberto Gil, a legendary Brazilian musician & cultural hero, has cancelled his July 4 concert in Israel. His cancellation follows Israel’s slaughter of over 100 civilians in Gaza in the past few weeks https://t.co/gU52dMNqj4 pic.twitter.com/El3yd3PJjI
— BDS Movement (@BDSmovement) May 21, 2018
In a letter addressed to the concert’s producers, Gil explained:
“The general sentiment of all is one of apprehension as Israel is going through this sensitive moment.”
Gil has won multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards has served as Brazil’s minister of culture and is regarded as one of Latin America’s most prominent musicians.
Often referred to as “The Soul of Brazil”, the multiple Grammy Award winning singer, guitarist and songwriter, Gilberto Gil on stage Jan 4. pic.twitter.com/7T6dtTvuCH
— Royal Opera House (@ROH_Muscat) September 10, 2017
Although he didn’t mention Gaza or the Great March of Return, the “sensitive moment” has been interpreted as a reference to the over 100 Palestinians killed by Israeli occupation forces during protests between March 30 and May 15.
#Brazilian musician #GilbertoGil cancels show in #Israel.#WorldMusic long been target for #Israeli #Hasbara to [use their own words] "improve the image of Israel."
Neither #art nor #CulturalDiplomacy can wash away the blood of the occupied. #BDS #RT https://t.co/08XUGOEITa
— Reem Kelani (@ReemKelani) May 22, 2018
Among the victims are 12 children, and two journalists. Human rights organizations have denounced what they call Israel’s shoot-to-kill-or-maim policy that has resulted in over 10,000 wounded.
Gaza’s Great March of Return Continues Despite Israeli Violence (PHOTOS) https://t.co/DWsQXXGQem via @PalestineChron
— Ramzy Baroud (@RamzyBaroud) May 19, 2018
Despite the lack of references to Israeli crimes or the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and Palestinian activists have celebrated Gil’s decision.
Hind Awwad, representative of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, said:
“We warmly welcome Gilberto Gil’s cancellation of his concert in Tel Aviv, the center of Israel’s regime of occupation and apartheid. We thank Gil’s fans in Brazil and across Latin America whose outrage over Israel’s latest massacre in Gaza and support for Palestinian human rights seem to have played a decisive role in his decision.”
In the statement, Awwad also referred to an earlier appeal to Gil asking him not to play in Tel Aviv in 2015. In that occasion, Gil and Caetano Veloso defied international appeals to refrain from “art-washing” Israeli occupation and apartheid regime.
Better #BDS late than #BDS never:
Brazilian star Caetano Veloso announces he will never go back to Israel https://t.co/rEOm8NaWdB
— Ali Abunimah (@AliAbunimah) November 9, 2015
Veloso returned vowing to never play in Israel again.
(TeleSur, PC, Social Media)
