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| Faithless performing at the iTunes Festival in London on 14 July 2010 (Photo Courtesy of Faithless.co.uk) |
A slew of musicians recently canceled concerts in Israel in protest of Israel's policies toward the Palestinians and the deadly attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31st.
The list of performers boycotting Israel includes names like Pink Floyd, Elvis Costello, Gil Scott-Heron, Carlos Santana and The Klaxons and Gorillaz Sound System. Now UK band Faithless is joining the list.
The group is best known for their dance songs ("Insomnia", "God Is a DJ" and "We Come 1"). Faithless have recorded six albums. During their career they have sold over 12 million records worldwide.
In August 2010, Faithless announced that they were joining the cultural boycott of Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians.
Frontman Maxi Jazz said, "We've been asked to do some shows this summer in your country (Israel) and, with the heaviest of hearts, I have regretfully declined the invitation. While human beings are being wilfully denied not just their rights but their NEEDS for their children and grandparents and themselves, I feel deeply that I should not be sending even tacit signals that this is either 'normal' or 'ok'. It's neither and I cannot support it. It grieves me that it has come to this and I pray everyday for human beings to begin caring for each other, firm in the wisdom that we are all we have."
The boycott endorses the call made by numerous Palestinian trade unions and other campaign groups for a cultural and economic boycott of Israel in protest at its treatment of Palestinians.
