06/10/10 | "Taking a Hint from Elvis Costello"

As the conflict goes on in Israel between the Israeli’s and Palestinians it gets exacerbated from time to time especially with the recent attack of Israeli commandos on the humanitarian aid ships that were heading for the Gaza Strip. We know there are complicated aspects to all of this and I certainly hope there is a wide spread investigation of the whole matter. However at this point it looks like Israel will not open it up to an outside investigation. It is unfortunate that people are not willing to take risky steps toward peace.I was struck by a recent statement made by Jazz and Blues singer Elvis Costello who had cancelled two concerts in Israel citing the complexity of the Israeli and Palestinian conflict.

"It is after considerable contemplation that I have lately arrived at the decision that I must withdraw from the two performances.” Mr. Costello went on to write that “there are occasions when merely having your name added to a concert schedule may be interpreted as a political act that resonate more than anything that might be sung,” and he added, “I must believe that the audience for the coming concerts would have contained many people who question the policies of their government on settlement and deplore conditions that visit intimidation, humiliation or much worse on Palestinian civilians in the name of national security."

Sometimes not participating can be a political act. Elvis Costello should be applauded for his stand.