The Cultural Intifada

Look! Up in the sky! It’s freedom of religion!

But Meg Ryan just cancelled her appearance at this week’s Jerusalem Film Festival. And Elvis Costello changed his mind about performing in Jerusalem. And Carlos Santana was bullied out of appearing at his sold-out performance in Israel.

Elton John, on the other had, said this in mid-June to an enthusiastic Israeli crowd: “Shalom! We are so happy to be back here! Ain’t nothing gonna stop us from coming, baby. Musicians spread love and peace and bring people together. That’s what we do. We don’t cherry pick our conscience.”

Jethro Tull also refused to be intimidated out of playing three concerts in Israel in early August. Said Ian Anderson, “[I have] long maintained the position that culture and the arts should be free of political and religious censorship.”