Barenboim No Man of Peace
YNET NEWS: Op-ed: Famed musician bashes Israel but says nothing in face of anti-Israeli violence hate

It is difficult for those who enjoy Daniel Barenboim’s music to criticize an artist like him. Yet the famous Israeli conductor just led an ensemble of European musicians to Hamastan, including Italians from world-renowned opera house of La Scala in Milan.

Indeed, the Israeli pianist and conductor crossed a red line with a most unethical gesture.

“We are playing this concert as a sign of our solidarity and friendship with the civil society of Gaza”, Barenboim said. He also wished “success” to the Hamas-Fatah unity agreement signed in Egypt.

Barenboim’s performances of Beethoven and Mozart can’t be an excuse for his political irresponsibility. For global public opinion he is an icon of tolerance and he must be judged by his actions. Barenboim refused to take part in Israel’s 60th anniversary festivities and in 2005, while signing a book that he had written with late anti-Israel activist Edward Said, he refused to be interviewed by a reporter for Israel’s Army radio simply because she was wearing an IDF uniform. » | Giulio Meotti | Sunday, May 08, 2011

YNET NEWS: Barenboim in Gaza 'peace concert': Israeli maestro breaks new ground as audience of some 700 attends hour-long concert along beachfront in northern Strip » | Reuters | Tuesday, April 05, 2011

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Elton John Concert Upsets Morocco's Muslim Politicians
THE TELEGRAPH: A concert by Sir Elton John has tested the limits of Morocco's drive for modernity, exposing the Muslim nation's complex and ambiguous attitudes toward homosexuality.

Islamists in the North African kingdom were outraged by the gay pop star's visit, while the royal palace, government and his many fans supported his appearance.

Authorities had beefed up security with thousands of police and plainclothes officers patrolling the concert. No violence was reported, despite calls from The Justice and Development Party, or PJD, Morocco's largest authorised Islamist group, for the show to be stopped.

"This singer is famous for his homosexual behaviour and for advocating it," said Mustapha Ramid, a leader and spokesman for the PJD, the country's biggest opposition party.

"We're a rather open party, but promoting homosexuality is completely unacceptable," he said.

Mr Ramid said that homosexuality was against Muslim values, and he feared the British singer would "encourage the phenomenon" and be a bad influence for Moroccan youth.

But in a sign of Sir Elton's popularity, several thousand of his fans appeared to know his lyrics by heart even though most people in this French and Arabic speaking country know little or no English.

Moroccan officials dismissed the calls to ban Sir Elton from performing. >>> | Thursday, May 27, 2010

MITHLY.NET: Elton JOHN au cœur d'un complot contre le Maroc ! >>> Par Stonewall

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