Dear Moby,

We have recently learned of your concert in Israel on July 12. We are writing to ask you to cancel your performance in Tel Aviv.

As you are no doubt aware, since 2005 Palestinian civil society has been calling on international artists to refuse to play in Israel as part of a campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel. The BDS campaign is a non-violent response to Israeli policies of colonialism and apartheid. The campaign takes inspiration from the boycotts that helped end apartheid in South Africa. In addition to support from solidarity movements around the world, many artists have canceled their concerts in Israel, including Elvis Costello, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, Carlos Santana, August Burns Red, Gil Scott Heron, Gorillaz Sound System, The Pixies, Vanessa Paradis and Devandra Banhart.

We know you received letters from a number of youth groups in Lebanon as well as a group of Israelis who support the BDS campaign, asking that you cancel the concert in Tel Aviv.

And as we understand, you still plan to perform there saying you need to see things with your own eyes. That is clearly a good idea, however, you can certainly get to know the reality on the ground without performing just a few miles away from those suffering under occupation!

You yourself said, 'Music and politics have been intertwined for such a long time.' In fact, your performance in Israel will be used to legitimize a racist system of apartheid and the systematic violation of human rights.

It's something we just cannot accept from the same person who recorded 'Make Love, Fuck War'. It's something that we just cannot accept from the same person who said 'my hope is that at some point the people will vocally rise up and let the current leaders know that they've had enough.'

Please don't perform for apartheid.

Sincerely,

BDS Italy

BDS Italy is a national collective of groups endorsing the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel.