New York human rights activists, and representatives of the West Bank Palestinian villages of Bil’in and Jayyous called on the government and the people of the United Arab Emirates to boycott the jewelry stores of Israeli billionaire and diamond magnate Lev Leviev over his companies’ construction of Israeli settlements. According to a flurry of recent media reports, Leviev is opening jewelry stores in Dubai during 2008. Read more about Dubai called on to boycott Leviev stores over Israeli settlements 

Today the Palestinian boycott campaign organization PACBI wrote to celebrated singer Morrissey: “On 3 December 2007, you said: ‘I abhor racism and oppression or cruelty of any kind and will not let this pass without being absolutely clear and emphatic with regard to what my position is. Racism is beyond common sense and I believe it has no place in our society.’ It is ‘absolutely clear’ that your performance in Israel would betray a regrettable double standard, if not a categorical negation of those noble ideals.” Read more about Morrissey: celebrating apartheid in Tel Aviv? 

The first International Writers’ Festival is scheduled to take place 11-15 May 2008 in Jerusalem, just three days after Israel’s official celebrations of 60 years of independence. Substantially financed by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, this festival must necessarily be seen in the context of the Israeli government’s wider public relations campaign to bring international artistic, cultural and political figures to brighten the state’s image on the international stage. Read more about Activists urge boycott of Jerusalem literature festival 

In an open letter dated 9 April 2008 to Executive Director of UNICEF Ann Vennemen, the Palestinian Boycott Campaign’s National Committee finds unacceptable UNICEF’s response to a letter from human rights activists urging the UN agency to refrain from accepting any contributions from Israeli diamond tycoon and developer of Israeli settlements, Lev Leviev. Read more about UNICEF: Distance yourself from tainted money 

Over 80 New Yorkers from diverse communities gathered last Saturday, 5 April in the Salam Lutheran Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Deir Yassin massacre, which occurred on 9 April 1948. Speakers discussed the need to redress the human rights violations that Israel committed in 1948 as a step towards a just future. Read more about New York commemorates Deir Yassin massacre 

You uttered one word [“Tibet”] in a concert in Shanghai that sent ripples across many disapproving seas. This time, say it louder, and support another just cause: that of the Palestinian people. Do not sing in Israel, so that your silence will prove to be more deafening. The concert you plan to give in July in Israel will coincide with the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of this state over the ruins of another country, Palestine. Read more about Bjork, cancel your Tel Aviv concert!