The Canadian BDS Coalition joins with its member organization Greater Toronto For BDS, and other organizations in telling Harbourfront Centre in Toronto that art-washing of apartheid in not acceptable. Calling on Harbourfront to cancel Israel’s L-E-V’ troupe performance.
Take one minute to let Harbourfront know that people of conscience call on them to cancel Israel’s L-E-V troupe performance.
Write letter HERE.
#BoycottLEV
#HarbourfrontDontArtWash
Amnesty International recently released its 280-page report Israel’s Apartheid against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime against Humanity describing how Israel continues to maintain “a system of oppression and domination” — apartheid — over all Palestinians under its control. Read more here.
But Harbourfront Centre in Toronto seems to not be concerned about supporting apartheid.
Harbourfront outrageously named an Israeli dance company to be the opening group for its international dance series.
This event according to the Harbourfront website is supported by the Israeli Consulate, Israel-Canada Culture Fund and Azrieli Foundation
Brand Israel is a campaign that aims to use art and culture to whitewash Israeli crimes. Brand Israel is an effort to show “Israel’s prettier face,” as stated by Arye Mekel of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Israeli performers such as L-E-V serve to art-wash the actual crimes of the Israeli government and they should be shunned by those who care about human rights and international law.
Background
In 2019, Australia BDS contacted the Sydney Opera House calling it to “provide leadership to arts and cultural institutions by boycotting companies such as L-E-V that are directly supported by the Israeli government” and to say that “any contact with companies supported by the Israeli government only gives comfort to them and supports the denial of Palestinian rights.”
We are appalled at Israel’s current ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Jerusalem, its ongoing theft of Palestinian land, water and gas resources, its incarceration of two million Gazans on contaminated land, its blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza (now in its 16th year), and its ongoing attacks on Palestinians throughout Israel and the militarily-occupied Palestinian territories.
It is appalling that Harbourfront Centre will open its international contemporary dance series, Torque, with the Canadian premiere of L-E-V’s visceral new work. L-E-V is scheduled to perform on March 3-5 at the Fleck Theater at Harbourfront. “Chapter 3: The Brutal Journey of the Heart” was created by L-E-V Co-Founders and Co-Artistic Directors Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar, and is choreographed by Eyal. The title seems ironic given the brutal journey for the people of Palestine under apartheid.
We call on Harbourfront Centre to demonstrate its rejection of Israel’s oppression and apartheid by immediately cancelling the invitation to Israel’s L-E-V troupe.
Join with Torontonians and all people of conscience to call on Harbourfront to cancel Israeli dance troupe.
The letter is being sent to:
Marah Braye, Chief Executive Officer
Iris Nemani, Chief Programming Office
Tenio Evangelista, President of the Board
GT4BDS suggest you can also call (416) 973-4600 to reach the telephones of the following officers to leave comments.
Campaign of Greater Toronto for BDS (GT4BDS)
With:
Palestine House- Palestinian Canadian Community Centre
Oakville Palestinian Rights Association
Just Peace Advocates is pleased to provide hosting & support of this campaign
Organizations which wish to endorse the campaign can do so HERE.
graphic: Research in Progress, 2012, Don’t Dance With Israeli Apartheid, the Palestine Poster Project Archives