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Israel Eurovision singers skip benefit concert for Gaza civilians, citing political tug-of-war By Noya Kohavi Tags: Israel, Gaza, Israel News The dispute continues between a group of Arab and Jewish intellectuals and Israel's Eurovision contenders, Ahinoam Nini and Mira Awad. The two singers were due to perform last Friday at a benefit in Tel Aviv to raise money for Gazan civilian victims of Operation Cast Lead, but canceled their participation at the last minute - just a day before the event. Their decision came after a series of letters published in the media criticized the singers against the backdrop of the fighting in Gaza, and called on the event's organizers to bar them from performing at the concert. Friday's concert was attended by about 300 people and starred such singers as Shlomi Shaban, the rapper Saz and Eran Zur. Actor Yosef Swaid read a letter from Nini and Awad to the audience, explaining why they had decided not to participate. Among other things, the two women wrote that they were "not interested in providing excuses for either party," and "sometimes silence is the most precious tribute we can add." The whole affair started with an open letter to the residents of Gaza, published by Nini on her blog, in which she expressed her support for the fighting in the Gaza Strip and called on the Palestinians to root out Hamas from their midst and help Israel to rid itself of the "this cancer, this virus, called Hamas." When the selection of the two women to represent Israel at Eurovision was announced, actor Juliano Mer-Khamis, filmmaker Nizar Hassan and publisher Yael Lerer published an open letter addressed to Awad, asking her "not to serve as a fig leaf in the Israeli public relations campaign." The letter's authors likewise called on Awad not to give the world an impression of co-existence in Israel. Advertisement "Every brick in the wall of this phony image allows the Israeli army to throw 10 more tons of explosives and more phosphorus bombs. We are sure that you also see these images and cry," continues the letter. When the two singers' participation in the concert was announced, another letter was published, demanding that Nini not be allowed to appear. That letter was signed by about 30 Arab and Jewish artists and intellectuals. "Today, after her wish has been fulfilled, and the Israeli army 'GOT RID' of over 1300 Palestinians, over 400 of them children, over 100 of them women, Ahinoam Nini wants to share the stage at a charity performance for the children of Gaza?"" stated the letter. "Your hypocrisy knows no bounds. You supported those who made those children orphans, and now you want to play Mother Theresa and help them? How cynical can you be? "Not only did you not protest, you supported the war. Maybe you can increase your popularity and try to wash your bloody hands by making headlines on the backs of these children, but you will not be able to clear your dirty conscience," continued the letter. In an interview to Orly Vilnai on Israel Channel 2 Television's "Uvda" (Fact) program last week, Awad spoke about being chosen to sing at Eurovision. "I am in favor of life; I want to live here and for everyone to live here together. I do not presume to influence politics. I have enough of being anti. I want to be for," she said. During that same interview, Nini said that she, Awad and Gil Dor, who is due to appear with them "are continuing with the message of peace in spite of and because of the war." Their manager, Ofer Pesenzon, declined comment for this article. Related articles: Israeli Arab singer urged to step down from Eurovision, so as not to present 'false image' of coexistence Singing the same tune Bookmark to del.icio.us   Holocaust remembrance Host of UN Holocaust memorial skips event after U.S. Jews threaten walk-out. Obama on Arab TV WATCH: In interview with Al-Arabiya Obama urges Palestinians, Israel to talk.   1.   THE"intellectuals"preach co-existence then undermine it 03:08  |  PETER SM 27/01/09   2.   Singleminded 08:33  |  Avi 27/01/09   3.   Trigger 10:54  |  Roel 27/01/09

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