J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter author, comes out against BDS movement
"Cultural boycotts singling out Israel are divisive and discriminatory, and will not further peace," letter published in The Guardian states.
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: OCTOBER 22, 2015 22:53Author J.K. Rowling in London November 9, 2013(photo credit: REUTERS)
Star author of the Harry Potter series J.K. Rowling joined 150 other people from the British arts world in signing a letter that was published in The Guardian on Thursday that came out against the Boycott Divest Sanction (BDS) movement against Israel.The letter stated that it was written in response to a letter from UK artists published in the British daily in February in which a group of UK artists announced their intention to culturally boycott Israel."We do not believe cultural boycotts are acceptable or that the letter you published accurately represents opinion in the cultural world in the UK," the letter read. The letter announced that the signatories were declaring their support for the launch and aims of an independent UK network representing a cross-section from the cultural world called Culture for Coexistence. "We will be seeking to inform and encourage dialogue about Israel and the Palestinians in the wider cultural and creative community. While we may not all share the same views on the policies of the Israeli government, we all share a desire for peaceful coexistence," the letter read."Cultural boycotts singling out Israel are divisive and discriminatory, and will not further peace. Open dialogue and interaction promote greater understanding and mutual acceptance, and it is through such understanding and acceptance that movement can be made towards a resolution of the conflict," the letter added. The group stated its support for a two-state solution with "the state of Israel and a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security."