This week, the Pet Shop Boys became the latest players in the culture wars clouding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict when the British singing duo felt it necessary to defend their decision not to cancel their upcoming concert in Israel.
Never mind that, as our story on page 25 relates, Pet Shop Boys singer Neil Tennant articulated the duo’s position with firm eloquence, calling the BDS movement’s apartheid labeling of Israel “a caricature.” The fact that BDS forces have created an atmosphere so intimidating that writers, actors and musicians feel forced to defend publicly their right to perform their art where and when they choose, without political implications, is egregious.
That’s not to say that artists, like anyone else, don’t have the right to express their political opinions. Of course they do. And if a particular artist wishes to lend his or her support to this or that political cause, we would not presume to stand in their way.
But to force their fellow artists to toe that same political line is beyond the pale of acceptable behavior.
Consider the case of singer Alicia Keys, who on May 31 told the New York Times that she would not cancel her July 4 concert in Tel Aviv. Why did she feel she had to make such a public declaration? Because, in a perverted use of social media, other artists — including writer Alice Walker and musician Roger Waters, BDS supporters both — published open letters on Facebook urging their fellow artists to adhere to the cultural boycott of Israel and calling upon Keys by name to do so.
Walker went so far as to write that performing in the “apartheid” state of Israel would put Keys’ very soul in danger.
That’s ridiculous, and appalling. Walker and Waters don’t have to go to Israel if they don’t want. I doubt they’ll be invited anyway. But to harass and try to shame another artist for not joining the BDS crusade is … well, we’ve said it earlier. It’s just wrong.
Art has the power to transcend politics and bring people together. Sometimes it’s for a common cause, such as global concerts for AIDS research or anti-poverty campaigns. But sometimes, art is just art, and music is to enjoy.
Alicia Keys said it best, in her statement to the Times: “Music is a universal language that is meant to unify audiences in peace and love, and that is the spirit of our show.”
Play on, lady.