British alternative rock band The Tindersticks have cancelled a gig in Tel Aviv, scheduled for the 1st and 2nd of December, in response to "pressure exerted on [them] by people and organisations".
They have announced the cancellation on their website - http://www.tindersticks.co.uk
The band described being "not wholly convinced by [the BDS movement's] methods" - for those that are not aware, these methods include intimidation, threats and deceit - but agreeing with their aims. I wonder if they have given a great deal of thought to what those aims are exactly.
This move is being branded a "success" by the BDS movement, which seeks to sever cultural, economic and academic ties between Britain and Israel - the ultimate aim being to isolate Israel, prevent Israeli voices from being heard, and to add Britain to Israel's list of enemies, which currently includes shining lights of civilisation such as Chad, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Syria and North Korea. But other than these reactionary radicals and their pro-terrorist handlers, for whom this is undoubtedly a minor propaganda coup, who benefits?
Do the Tindersticks' fans in Israel benefit? Clearly not. In fact after this move I suspect the Tindersticks will have very few fans left in Israel.
Do those people in Israel that are working towards peace and reconciliation benefit? Hardly. If anything things like this make peace less likely. How can Israel's government take the difficult steps the world asks of them, endangering their national security, when so-called "allies" - the countries they are asked to trust to keep them safe from neighbourly aggression - behave like this?
Do the Tindersticks themselves benefit? Other than missing an opportunity to play in the third best city in the world, I'm sure there will be other consequences as well due to the ill will this will generate. I for one have deleted the one album of theirs that I had on my iPod in disgust and I encourage others to do the same.
Ultimately this serves as another example of the tragically self-defeating nature of BDS, which can only destroy friendships, bonds and goodwill, and will never lead to a lasting peace.
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