Rapper Talib Kweli takes stand for Palestine, cancels Israel gig

Rapper Talib Kweli (talibkweli.com) has canceled plans to perform in Israel after appeals by supporters of the Palestinian campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS).

“As much as I want to play Israel, I have decided not to in solidarity with Palestinians who will not have access to my show,” he wrote on Twitter.

“After days of discussions with many, I’ve decided to try and visit Israel and Palestine with those who fight to end the state of apartheid rather than use my art to force the issue on those who would rather not deal with it.”

Talib Kweli said that speaking to members of the Palestinian rap group DAM helped him make up his mind:

He continued to engage on Twitter with both critics and supporters of his decision.

“The responses on twitter from BDS supporters were compassionate, measured, informed and respectful for the most part,” he wrote.

Talib Kweli has previously referenced the struggle for justice in Palestine in his work.

Palestinian American rap journalist Sama’an Ashrawi summed up the feelings of many with his response to Talib Kweli’s stance:

You're a good man, @TalibKweli ✊
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) July 2, 2014

Comments

I always loved Talib Kweli

Permalink E A replied on Thu, 07/03/2014 - 16:06

I always loved Talib Kweli and thought he was a good guy. This confirms it!! Massive respect. xx

Thats good of him. What kind

Permalink Jamil replied on Sun, 07/06/2014 - 08:29

Thats good of him. What kind of things are Palestinians doing to show solidarity to Southern Sudanese who are oppressed and Christians in Nigeria ?

Tell me what you been smoking!

Permalink NigerianToTheBone replied on Wed, 07/16/2014 - 15:29

Tell me what you been smoking! Which Nigeria? Do you actually listen to the radio?

@Jamil, first of all, the

Permalink Rachid replied on Mon, 07/07/2014 - 13:14

@Jamil, first of all, the south Sudanese are fighting among each other. They already got the freedom from the north. The South's war is a Christian against Christian war!! The Christians in Nigeria are as much -maybe even more - guilty of the slaughters, as are the Boko Haram idiots. So, I don't understand your logic. And, what does it have to do with BDS??