tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post3766704388385375422..comments2024-03-29T18:07:42.705+05:30Comments on Shoot First, Mumble Later: The Israel BoycottGirish Shahanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16877402074547726173noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-66379924192153053142012-01-26T22:21:23.065+05:302012-01-26T22:21:23.065+05:30And thanks for your thoughtful response, ShazzyAnd thanks for your thoughtful response, ShazzyGirish Shahanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877402074547726173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-76681160186704728142012-01-26T21:49:11.015+05:302012-01-26T21:49:11.015+05:30On one very important level I agree with you: For ...On one very important level I agree with you: For Palestine, a much smaller nation than the US funded Israel, violence is simply not a solution. It should, ideally, seek out other methods.<br /><br />But I find it unfair to lay the onus of non-violent behaviour on one country. For the same reasons as above: Israel is the bigger country. As far as comparing the situation to our struggle for independence, I wish, like you, that there was a Gandhi born in all countries and eras. This is sadly not possible. Plus, our country was (is?) a victim of colonialism. The Middle-Eastern conflict can be traced back to the Crusades. It is not just territorial, geographical or economical. It is also religious. It is no surprise, then that fanatics have seized the 'opportunity' to foster the repulsive martyr cult. <br /><br />Thanks for this stimulating blog, btw!Shazzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03653886544070944815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-81411862857776430662011-08-05T09:21:20.469+05:302011-08-05T09:21:20.469+05:30DS, Alex, thanks a lot.DS, Alex, thanks a lot.Girish Shahanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877402074547726173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-18751593075380410592011-08-04T04:13:47.121+05:302011-08-04T04:13:47.121+05:30This has got to be one of the most intelligent ana...This has got to be one of the most intelligent analysis and response to the boycott campaign I've seen yet. Thank you so much, Girish, for your thoughts.Alex Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08120263205855736072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-92017639557354999222011-08-03T20:01:37.036+05:302011-08-03T20:01:37.036+05:30these kinds of boycott calls sound pretty routine ...these kinds of boycott calls sound pretty routine no? I remember a similar appeal made by British writers to Ian McEwan when he was awarded the state-backed Jerusalem prize. There were similar mails circulating over email in India, asking McEwan to boycott the book festival and decline the prize.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-57230233405827453742011-08-03T08:11:15.642+05:302011-08-03T08:11:15.642+05:30You've mentioned John Berger's 'nuanc...You've mentioned John Berger's 'nuanced position', that's the one most of us have. When Lisa and others bring up South Africa they are bringing up a country who imposed apartheid on it's own people, a section of society who had but a feeble voice at the time, and no recourse to correct the wrong in a time when the media was not so pan global in dispensing breaking news overnight, or nations politically correct on sanctions, or an 'Arab Spring' was even notionally in sight.<br /><br />I sent you a msg saying I agreed with you and left it that. What is there to take much further? The issue of Israel's formation, state backed attacks on civilians in Arab territories, their defense that it is survival in their hostile surround we debate rightfully, even as we understand the distress of Palestine and do not condone their resort to violence.<br /><br />But for Indian Artists to ask for a blanket boycott of a show of Indian Art at the Tel Aviv Museum because it serves to "legitimise the'racist and apartheid' policies of Israel" left me confused on first reading. If that is the central point of their argument then why, as you say, allow shows to go on in other countries that repress their own people? There are two nations involved here, there are grey areas in the arguments of both the countries claims and actions, and while I am no fan either of Israel's Palestine track record, this knee jerk reaction to what essentially is a political impasse is removing the one avenue where sensible or a humane dialogue can still take place. Through cultural exchanges. <br /><br />Though going by the recent Indian HotchPotch show a cultural boycott of yet another mela may not be such a bad thing. On those grounds, yes, a call may be justified. : )DSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-5813290942757428202011-08-02T10:34:19.756+05:302011-08-02T10:34:19.756+05:30Thanks, Satish.Thanks, Satish.Girish Shahanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877402074547726173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-70219730421179123332011-08-02T10:32:36.808+05:302011-08-02T10:32:36.808+05:30Fantastic series of posts. Have helped me question...Fantastic series of posts. Have helped me question and refine my own stand on the issue. Thanks!Satishhttp://42ing.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-24145104128458958702011-08-02T10:03:51.637+05:302011-08-02T10:03:51.637+05:30Israel is no saint, but then, neither are the Pale...Israel is no saint, but then, neither are the Palestinians. Unless a regime is truly evil (Israel does not even come close), a boycott of affiliated cultural institutions is not justified.Winnowedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11073005581801465319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-3051034592042949712011-08-02T07:23:17.789+05:302011-08-02T07:23:17.789+05:30Such a call for boycott is nothing but Political C...Such a call for boycott is nothing but Political Correctness gone mad.<br /><br />- YogeshYogesh Kamdarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10902976911067134410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-55639470127163988062011-08-02T00:01:34.274+05:302011-08-02T00:01:34.274+05:30Deepak, she did forward me Lisa Taraki's mail;...Deepak, she did forward me Lisa Taraki's mail; Pushpamala has read the manifestos and websites of those pushing the boycott and is obviously convinced by their arguments. Presumably those documents explain her point of view, she feels no need to elaborate on them.Girish Shahanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877402074547726173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-19758827891440782122011-08-01T23:34:36.934+05:302011-08-01T23:34:36.934+05:30You hit the nail on the head in the last paragraph...You hit the nail on the head in the last paragraph - Palestinians have let slip many opportunities to be sovereign...from the violent nature of their resistance (the martyr cult is especially abhorrent) to their negotiating leaders and tactics. The cultural boycott is all smoke and no fire.<br /><br />I am surprised though N Pushpamala is silent on it (or so it seems as there doesn't seem to be a response from s/he). What's the point of calling the boycott when you cannot explain your convictions?Deepaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-80513921622171685942011-07-31T22:00:19.099+05:302011-07-31T22:00:19.099+05:30Spend far too much time online as it is, SA, but t...Spend far too much time online as it is, SA, but thanks!Girish Shahanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877402074547726173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-44987659677378163512011-07-31T20:44:35.418+05:302011-07-31T20:44:35.418+05:30Get on twitter if for no other reason than to link...Get on twitter if for no other reason than to link up to your posts! <br />S ANANDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-29906582331734013932011-07-31T08:08:32.404+05:302011-07-31T08:08:32.404+05:30Thanks, Achal!Thanks, Achal!Girish Shahanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877402074547726173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-5084933586626185512011-07-31T02:38:49.963+05:302011-07-31T02:38:49.963+05:30oh, there he is, the silly Indian artist!oh, there he is, the silly Indian artist!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024210672199702325.post-29962581217645321042011-07-31T01:16:35.878+05:302011-07-31T01:16:35.878+05:30Hey man, this is excellent (not the controversy, o...Hey man, this is excellent (not the controversy, of course, but your response to it). Achal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com