Appeal:

BOYCOTT OF ALL ISRAELI ART INSTITUTIONS
END THE OCCUPATION

Emily Jacir
Anton Sinkewich
Oz Shelach

7 Apr. 2002

We appeal to all artists of good conscience around the world to cancel all exhibitions and other cultural events that are scheduled to occur in Israel, to mobilize immediately and not allow the continuation of the Israeli offensive to breed complacency. Like the boycott of South African art institutions during apartheid, and the boycott of Austrian art institutions when Haider was elected, the art world must speak out against the current Israeli war crimes and atrocities.

We reach out our hand in support of all Israeli artists who are active against the occupation, such as artist Meir Gal, film maker Simone Bitton, poet Sami Shalom Chetrit, film maker Rachel Jones, and poet Yitshak Laor. We support them and their work. It is especially important at this time to extend all our support to those brave Israeli artists who are against the current Israeli offensive and are speaking out against their own government.

We, members of the international art community are calling on Israel for a complete withdrawal back to the 1967 borders as well as a dismantlement of all West Bank settlements. We will boycott all Israeli art institutions and cultural events until that time.

We appeal for an end of the current military offensive in which Apache helicopter gunships, tanks, F-16s, M-16s, and anti-aircraft missiles are terrorizing an entire civilian population who were already living under the hardships of occupation.

We urgently appeal for food and drinking water, and for the general access of all humanitarian agencies. The situation is on the verge of a humanitarian disaster.
We appeal for the safety of all individuals.

We appeal for medical supplies and access to medical treatment, electricity, water, phone lines and other necessary facilities.

We appeal for freedom of movement within all cities and outside all Palestinian cities. Before the current military offensive, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza were denied freedom of movement due to over 300 Israeli checkpoints. It is unforgivable that in the 21st century, people are killed just trying to get to work, deliver babies, or visit a relative in a neighboring village...
We appeal for the immediate end to vandalism, looting, humiliation, and gratuitous violence and destruction.
We appeal for access of humanitarian agencies, including the ICRC, Red Cross, and the Red Crescent to all detainees, prisoners and hostages, including Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, to ensure their well-being.

Endorsements:

Canada:

Amar Al allaq, Ph.D student , and journalist , Montreal
Calvin Climie, Filmmaker, Ottawa
Rawi Hage, Visual artist/writer, Montreal
Jamelie Hassan, London, Ontario
Freda Guttman, Installation artist, Montreal, Quebec
Catherine Quinn, Artist/Filmmaker, Vancouver, BC
Julian Samuel, writer and film-maker, Montreal
Leila Sujir, Artist, Montreal, QC
Carla Whiteside, visual artist, Gatineau, Québec

Egypt:

Samirah Alkassim, Film, Department of Performing and Visual Arts, The American University in Cairo, Cairo
Mary E Behny , Registered Nurse, Cairo
Noha Farouk, MA student and part time actor, Cairo

Italy:

Giovanna Amadasi - Art Project manageer - Milan
Mustafa Tell, Television production

The Netherlands:

Laïla Al Harrak, journalist

U.S.

Mimi Adams, artist/internet activist/librarian, New Mexico
Ammiel Alcalay, writer, NYC.
Ruchi Chaturvedi, Phd Student, Dept. of Anthropology, Columbia University, NY
Andrew Courtney, artist, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Maureen Donahue, graduate student in international affairs, NY, NY
Rachel Jones, filmmaker, NYC.
Annemarie Kattan Jacir, filmmaker, NYC
Jamil Khader, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of English, The English Department, Stetson University, Deland, FL.
Omar Koury, Actor, New York City
Cynthia Madansky, artist, NYC and Istanbul
Anthony McCann, Cultural Policy/Social Theory, Washington DC/Ireland
Jenny Perlin, artist, NYC.
Paige Sarlin, artist, NYC
Betty Shamieh, writer, NYC.