The ‘anti-boycott Israel’ effort gains steam

October 28, 2011 - 3:55 PM by David

The members of American rockers Linkin Park visit the Kotel during their stay here last summer. (CCFP)

The next time Madonna or another big-time artist announces that they’re going to perform in Israel, they’d better be ready for a slew of letters, phone calls and emails.

No, not from the kooky ‘Boycott Israel’ people, who insist on bombarding the artists with campaigns full of lies and distortions likening Israel to an apartheid state in an effort to convince them to cancel their trip to Israel – this time it’s going to be from supporters of Israel, influential, buddy-buddy supporters of Israel.

A group of international music and film executives, agents, attorneys and artists mostly from Los Angeles, but also including representation from New York, London and Tel Aviv, have recently launched the Creative Community For Peace (CCFP) – an organization that pledges to use a wide range of measures to bolster the resolve of artists who sign contracts to perform in or travel to Israel.

Look no further than last year’s debacles with Elvis Costello, the Pixies and Klaxon among others – artists who had signed contracts, but then due to a change of heart most likely brought on by pressure by the boycotters, decided to back out after tickets were sold and the shows were advertised.

Those experiences convinced a group of music pros in LA that something had to be done. Led by Steve Schnur, in charge of music and marketing for Electronic Arts and president of Artwerk Music Group, and responsible for licensing music for some of the most popular computer video games, and David Renzer, the former CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, the CCFP advisory board includes Israeli world music artist Idan Raichel; David Lonner, CEO of Oasis Media Group; Gary Foster, principal of Krasnoff Foster Productions; Doug Frank, former president of music operations for Warner Brothers Pictures; and the organization’s Israel point man, Ran Geffen-Lifshitz, CEO of Media Men Group, the country’s largest music publishing company.

“Every month, we receive a report from Ran’s team in Israel on the various artists who have announced they’re coming to Israel,” Renzer said last week during a visit to Israel.

“We then ask our advisory board whether anyone has a special relationship with the artist or his management, and often the answer is yes. So, they’re hearing not from an anonymous fan, but from a high-level person in the entertainment industry.”

The artist receives a phone call or letter congratulating them on his decision to perform in Israel and making him aware of the impending boycott efforts.

The letter, in part, reads: “Millions applaud the recent announcement of your upcoming tour of Israel. However, over the next few weeks and months, you will undoubtedly be hearing from other voices calling for you to cancel your trip in protest of actions in the West Bank and Gaza. Unfortunately, these misguided groups are trying to use the forums of music and culture to make inflammatory and incorrect political points.

“Singling out Israel, the only democracy in the region, as a target of cultural boycotts, while ignoring the now recognized human-rights issues of her neighbors, will not further peace. Ultimately, boycotts are an affront to Palestinian and Israeli moderates alike who are seeking to reach peace through compromise, exchange and mutual recognition.

“We look forward to your joining the ranks of independent-minded artists who have recently performed in Israel, including Elton John, Paul McCartney, Madonna, Rihanna, The Black Eyed Peas, Metallica, Linkin Park, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and many others.

“Music is our shared common language – one that transcends words and hatred.”

The letter is followed up with whatever is necessary to insure that the artists aren’t bushwacked by the boycott efforts, whether it be personal meetings, phone calls, handholding, offers to provide personalized tours in the country and referrals to the CCFP website.

The newly created site offers an impressive array of video clips of artists performing in Israel, a photo gallery of celebrities who have toured Israel, a “newsstand” with topical articles about artists, celebrity reflections on Israel and educational information on issues of democracy and human rights in the country.

“It’s a grassroots approach, but at a high level,” explained Steve Schnur.

And it’s one we can all get behind.

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