Israeli and Palestinian bands unite in 'metal brotherhood'

[oberliner]

They are united by facial hair, frayed jeans and a love of heavy metal – plus a belief that music is above politics, religion and conflict. Now the Israeli band Orphaned Land is joining forces with the Palestinian group Khalas to take a message of coexistence through rock'n'roll across Europe.

An 18-gig tour will see the bands perform in six countries, including Britain, this autumn. The musicians will share both a stage and a tour bus for three weeks, proving in practice that their "metal brotherhood" overrides differences of religion and national identity.

At a concert to launch their European tour in Tel Aviv last week, Orphaned Land's lead singer, Kobi Farhi, and Khalas's lead guitarist, Abed Hathut, explained their mission.

"We can't change the world, but we can give an example of how coexistence is possible," said Farhi. "Sharing a stage and sharing a bus is stronger than a thousand words. We'll show how two people from different backgrounds who live in a conflict zone can perform together."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/21/israeli-palestinian-bands-unite-tour

[Scootaloo]

1. Orphaned Land doesn't impress me much

They sound like E nomine, with a little zither thrown in, and their videos look like fanmade versions of Kanye West videos (Seriously, check out "All Is One," blatant ripoff of Kanye's "Power.&quot They're not bad, mind, but when it comes to Israeli metal, I'll take me some Amaseffer, thanks Khalas sounds sort of like an Arabic Godsmack.

Oh well, neat!

[oberliner]

2. Glad that you are not boycotting Israeli artists!

For a second, I thought you might be a BDS-er.

[Scootaloo]

3. Not everything has to be either-or

I have zero problem with BDS. In fact i think it's a pretty good idea. What else are a bunch of civilians going to do if they want another nation's government to change policy on something? It's this thing called "political speech," after all. if someone wants to boycott whatever, good for them. if someone wants to make a point of chucking their money at Israel, good for them, too.

What gets me are these ill-educated dumbfucks who liken BDS to the Nazis - I wish that I had the wherewithal to send each of those idiots a soap basket, just to give them a little fucking perspective. I'm also amused by the alternating positions of "absolute panic" and "smug self-assurances" that opponents seem prone to engaging in on the subject. Really, if BDS isn't a big deal, why care? If it's as "doomed to failure" as we're assured, wouldn't it make more sense to respond with blithe indifference than wild-eyed ranting?

It's similar to my position on guns. I'm more sympathetic towards proponents for gun control, but have no issue with people who just own or purchase guns. My problem lies with the freaks and mutants that partake of "gun culture."

[oberliner]

4. If BDS is a pretty good idea, why not embrace it yourself?

Don't you want Israel's government to change policy?

If so, what steps are you taking towards helping to bring about that change?

[Scootaloo]

5. What do you mean exactly by "embrace"?

If you mean boycott, I already don't buy Israeli goods. Not because I make a point of avoiding them, but because they're just nonexistent in my market and because I make an effort to buy local. I'm sure there's something I own or buy that has some third-degree connection to Israel, but if that's the rubric we measure buy, everything in my home is Sri Lankan.

If you mean something like petitioning businesses to disinvest from Israel, well, I'll be honest. I only have so many hours in the day. The number of them I use for activism of some sort are consumed by local issues. Currently one company is trying to turn half my island into a gravel pit, another is trying to turn the other half into a toxic dump for the shit the old smelter used to churn out, my local post office might be closing, there's a community epidemic of meth addiction, and then there's my role as a union advocate. Israel / Palestine is an important thing, sure, but frankly it rides pretty low on my to-do list when I consider the shit going on in my own locale. It's one of those "settle for solidarity" things.

If you mean why don't I levy sanctions... well, my status as an independent nation hasn't yet been ratified by anyone except myself

[oberliner]

6. Fair enough

Just wondering if this Israeli band that you mentioned were playing a concert very near to your home, would you protest or attempt to disrupt the show?

Something like what happens when the Israeli Philharmonic performs internationally from time to time, for instance?

I only bring it up because you mentioned being a fan of that Israeli band.

Or, as you mentioned shopping, if a supermarket or co-op in your area did decide to carry Israeli goods, would you join in protest against such an action and/or refuse to shop there?

Incidentally, where do you live if you don't mind sharing?