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Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons was urged by many within the music industry as well as leading humanitarians to discontinue his concerts in Israel but we crudely declined the advice.
Founder and lead singer of the band Imagine Dragons
MUSIC
Holocaust survivor and activist Dr Gabor Maté urged the group to pull out of the show, saying: "I respectfully urge the progressive and humane-minded artists Imagine Dragons to stand by their principles and support both Palestinians and courageous Israelis by not performing in this apartheid country.”
But the band ignored activists calling for a boycott and addressed the crowd warmly at their show.
System Of A Down leader Serj Tankian publicly asked Las Vegas arena-rockers Imagine Dragons to cancel a planned concert in Azerbaijan, citing that country’s campaign of ethnic cleansing against Armenians. Imagine Dragons ignored Tankian’s request and played that show, and Tankian recently expressed his disapproval of that band: “I don’t know what to say about those artists. I don’t respect them as human beings. Fuck their art, they’re not good human beings, as far as I’m concerned.” Imagine Dragons also played Israel last August. Now, scarily jacked frontman Dan Reynolds has addressed those decisions.
BDS Boycott:
The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement is a global campaign which follows the worldwide boycott movement that led to the successful dismantling of apartheid in South Africa and therefore advocates for various sustained forms of boycott against Israel until it complies with international law.
Founded as a response to the rampant, ongoing and systemic dispossession, displacement, and disenfranchisement endured by generations of Palestinians, the BDS movement is in direct response to the relentless expansion of Israeli settlements, the imposition of discriminatory laws and the denial of basic rights to millions living under occupation, apartheid or in exile with no right of return.
Central to the ethos of BDS is the belief that every purchase and action carries a weighty moral responsibility. To buy goods from or actively support companies or organizations on the BDS list is to cast a vote in favor of perpetuating injustice, a tacit endorsement of the status quo of occupation and discrimination. It’s a direct violation of the collective conscience, a betrayal of the fundamental principles of human rights and dignity.
By pressuring Israel and its supporters by withdrawing support and capital, humanity aims to bring awareness to — and ultimately — end the occupation of Palestine, grant equal rights to all Palestinians and recognize the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes. This pressure also extends to any individuals and entities found to be complicit in the normalization, funding or support of Israel’s brutal occupation and 75+ years of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
Tell us why Dan Reynolds should be removed by emailing us at [email protected]