Five arrested at protest of Israeli musicians to appear in court
18th September 2009
Five arrested at protest of Israeli musicians to appear in court
The five protestors that were arrested and charged with disrupting the performance of the Israeli Jerusalem Quartet last month, will appear in court on Thursday 18th September to submit a plea.
The five will all be submitting a plea of not-guilty. And will site the Israeli war crimes, and justification for their actions. Mick Napier, Chair, Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign was quoted as saying “The Israeli military musicians who enjoy a double status as ‘Cultural Ambassadors of Israel’ as well as ‘Distinguished Israeli Army Musician’s and are therefore legitimate targets for protest against Israeli war crimes”
Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign organisers of the protest said “While the siege of Gaza and the denial of the fundamental rights of all Palestinians under International Law continues, Israel should not be allowed to conduct ‘business as normal’ and musicians associated with the murderous Israeli Army, its state, or its illegal occupation should be denied any platform.”
On the day of the protest about a dozen music-lovers returned their tickets at the gates after realizing the concert contributed to Israel’s efforts to gloss over and legitimise her ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Gratifyingly, a further small but significant number of the audience left and expressed their support, one couple thanking the demonstrators inside and out ‘for awakening our consciences’. One music-lover who had complained about the harsh ejection of a demonstrator from the hall was told to leave as well!