As you are aware, there is currently a spreading global boycott of Israeli artists and arts establishments which we, as Palestinian artists, have endorsed.

Art, a powerful tool that has influenced the course of history countless times, is not apolitical. Unfortunately in Israeli society art has remained politically apathetic, lamenting Israel's historical and ongoing suffering whilst ignoring Israel's historical and ongoing culpability.

Like all Palestinians, as artists we are subject to the daily humiliation of your barrier-points, the random slaughter of your military actions, the denial of travel by your border police, detention without charge or trial in your prisons, closures and curfews of our cities by your army, continuing theft of property by your "settlers", and , as war refugees, the ongoing refusal to return home by your government. Meanwhile you have enjoyed the opportunity to create, rehearse and perform with relative freedom. We suggest that you utilize this freedom more responsibly. The Israeli government and mainstream press has been unwilling to criticize Zionism as an ideology for Israel. As a result of this, Israeli oppression of the indigenous Muslim, Christian and secular inhabitants of this region has become more and more extreme. We expect that you, as Israeli artists, therefore find the moral courage to research and reflect upon the impact of Israeli Zionism far more critically and directly than you have been willing to do thus far.

Vague sentiments for peace and against war are as useless as a speech by US President Bush on the topic. If you really are dedicated to creating a peaceful, just future, your commentary needs to directly address the way that political Zionism has effected the non-Jewish residents of this land. Evocatively share with your audiences the way Israel has dispossessed us of our property and held us under a brutal military occupation without civil rights for decades. If you do not wish to present this in your artwork, you may consider alternatives such as public statements that support the return of refugees and the end of the occupation, cancellation of your performances whenever occupied Palestinian regions are placed under curfew by your military, and a refusal to do your own annual service within the Israeli military.

It should be obvious to most of you by now that no amount of military force can promise or deliver Zionist domination over this region. Justice, peace and security will require a major shift in Israel's political goals and social conscience- one which recognizes the diversity of peoples inhabiting the region, acknowledges the United Nations Resolutions regarding Israel's duties and obligations, and accepts the damage caused by the quirky nature of Zionism. Such a shift, prompted by boycotts, brought an end to similar oppression in South Africa. As artists you are in a position to lead this shift, but unfortunately your artwork to date has failed to even attempt this. As such your art has become the Israeli government's mute mistress, drawing audiences away from any moral inquiry. So long as you continue to ignore the damage your state is causing therefore, we will continue to endorse the global cultural boycott of your artwork.

As Palestinian artists, we envision a future where every person from this region, regardless of religion or ethnicity, has their culture celebrated, just as it has been in centuries past. To reach this point, we must all enjoy equal civil rights.

Stop denying ours.

Nicholas Rowe, PARA-Culture (Palestinian Artists Resisting Apartheid-Culture)