Souad Massi played in the International Festival 2011 in the West Bank city of Ramallah! This was very happy news for me, especially because I have a huge crush on Massi.
So why can't Egyptians, Syrian and Lebanese musicians, writers, actors and intellectuals go to the West Bank and Gaza and show their solidarity with Palesitnians? It is either because they are cowardly or lazy. Scared to face criticsm of "normalization" "we will never allow our passports to be stamped by the Zionist entity", or "do you know how difficuilt it is to enter Palestine?!" Cowardice or Lazy is all it is. Edward Said was right. Egypt and Jordan are in peace, albeit a cold one, with Israel, but they can go to Israel, can help Palestinians and raise their spirits, and experience the daily humiliation Palestinians go through. Enough of this lousy excuse of normalization already.
Right on Moustafa! Wish i could be there to hear her dulcet tones. Maybe she could write a song or two about Palestine?
ReplyDeleteThat would be a great idea David, but perhaps if she did she would feel a burden to write other songs for other oppressed groups?
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