Sir, – I see the members of Dervish have decided to cancel plans to perform in Israel (Front page, May 4th). This is regrettable.
Irish artists have performed in many countries whose human rights records have been criticised; indeed, Dervish has performed in China. They’re not subjected to such a campaign of venom by activists concerned with the situation in those countries.
Only the self-styled pro-Palestinian activists take this approach.
I can happily attend films from almost any country in the world – no matter how tyrannical its government – and do so freely without harassment. If any cinema in Dublin dares to show an Israeli film, it is targeted by a small but very hostile group who stand either side of the door and verbally harass people on the way in and out. The same goes for when Israeli artists are performing in Ireland.
Attending an Israeli cultural event or visiting Israel does not mean an endorsement of whatever the Israeli government is doing. Only these anti-Israeli activists are pushing that line. An essential part of the campaign by these people is that they get to monopolise the debate.
If others are prevented from learning about the culture of the region, then they don’t learn about the realities. These activists are then free to skew the debate any way they choose. – Yours, etc,