Monday, January 29, 2001
name: Paula Abood
country: Australia
comments: I emphatically support Marcel Khalife's principled stand to withdraw from womadelaide. This act of integrity can only win him more admiration and followers from all people who uphold human rights and refuse to be silenced by indifference to racism. Marcel Khalife's action like his music is meaningful beyond the everyday and inspires us in the diaspora to continue the struggle for justice and freedom. The arrogant and patronising response from womadelaide event director demonstrates all too clearly the level of ignorance and racism that pervades the psyche of this country.

Monday, January 29, 2001
name: Fatenah Abdo
country: CA, US
comments: I am a 24year old palestinian college girl. Thank u so much for ur support. I almost lost hope till i recieved ur website from my cousin. Mr.Khalife i hope god gives u the power and courage to continue ur struggle in all ur life. fatenah.

Monday, January 29, 2001
name: Khalid Husseini
country: Palestine
comments: I am not sure if not performiming in this particular consert in Austria is an effictive responce to Israeli abuse and erogance but I am sure of Mr. Khalifa's past and present honrable intentions and brave stances. His contributions to Arab causes in general and Palestinian in particular are beyond words. I thank him but wish his vioce would be heard by the whole world.

Tuesday, January 30, 2001
name: Nadim Sawaya
country: Australia
comments: Can the organisers not see the implications of having Chava backed by the Israeli's in Australia given the current situation in the Middle East? I have no doubt that Marcel would have no qualms about performing with an artist who just happened to be have an Israeli background and no political affiliations. It is a pity that Marcel Khalife has pulled out, however his decision is greatly respected.

Wednesday, January 31, 2001
name: Bernabbess Radwan
country: Tunisie
comments: Salut
Je suis vraiment fier de vous voir comme ci courageux et fidele a votre origine et vos principes.

Wednesday, January 31, 2001
name: Fadi
country: Boston-USA
comments: I've always thought of you as a man of principle when it comes to life matters, and a true rebel when it comes to music. I totally respect your decision: you've always been a great example to me, and you'll always be.

Wednesday, January 31, 2001
name: Roberto Lahsen
country: Chile
SUBJECT: Bravo!!
comments: I only want to say thanks Mr. Marcel khalife for your strong support to the palestinian and arab cause. I have palestinian origin, and people like you make us proud to be arabs. Alf Shukran!!!!

Thursday, February 1, 2001
name: alissar chidiac
country: australia
comments: When I saw the recent advertising in a Sydney newspaper for the post-Womadelaide concerts, that will take place at the Sydney Opera House (with the line up of the artists' photos, their countries of origin and their sponsors) it was even more clear that Marcel Khalife had made the only political choice possible!! We will not accept nor encourage "normalization", whether physically on the Land nor symbolically in the Diaspora. I support the stream of solidarity that precedes my comments, and reinforce that our political struggles are always complex - especially as in the proverbial "west" we must always negotiate the structural interplays of racism, zionism and orientalism that are are the very "bases" of our media and cultural institutions. Unfortunately the world music scene is no different!

Thursday, February 1, 2001
name: HUMAN
country: EARTH
comments: i just want to thanks that man who tried to defend my rights in my stone.
Want to say to Womadelaids that "human rights" should be defended everywhere, and every how, specially threw art,and not the opposit. and what is happening in Palestine is not just a political racial conflict. But it is a crime against humanity, commited systematicly by the israeli gouvernement. Mr khalife, PLEASE do not give up.

Thursday, February 1, 2001
name: nijad georges mehanna
country: usa
comments: Dear Marcel,
i stand fully behind your actions and want to commend you on your bravery and pan-arab stance. best of health and success always.
nijad mehanna

Thursday, February 1, 2001
name: Ali MENHEM
country: Canada
comments: Congratulation for this honorable stand against israeili massacare.
Long Live Justice and Freedom!

Thursday, February 1, 2001
name: Wassim Moukahhal
country: Canada
comments: Dear Marcel,
With every action you do, whether a new song or music or a political stand, you confirm to the Arab people how different you are. While the Arab leaders are running to meet an Israeli official to end the trouble they fell in, the intifada, you have demonstrated how a real human being must act in defense of his people. The fight against our murderers is of different faces. Fighting mormalization is one battle which you are leading. I only hope that the Arab masses will wake up from their long sleep and take a clear stand, like you did, against their enemy who can be inside too.
tousbihoun 3alla watan!

Thursday, February 1, 2001
name: Ray Hanania
country: USA
comments: Dear Marcel:

I want to express my admiration to you for your stand and your decision to withdraw from the Womadelaide 2001 world music festival in Australia because of the participation of an Israeli singer sponsored by the Israeli embassy in Australia.
However, I disagree with the decision because I do not believe we should concede one inch to the Israelis. To follow your lead, we would have to withdraw also from the United Nations. And maybe the good people have. But the UN is still full of representatives from the various Arab Governments.
I would hope you would reconsider, attend the conference and make a statement and a stand against Israeli arrogance and violanece against civilians. Thought your motives are admirable, I think in the end, we help the Israelis win ground that we should fight to retain on every possible level.
best regards
Ray Hanania
www.hanania.com

Thursday, February 1, 2001
name: Awni Hajeb
country: USA
comments: His withdrawal is appreciated

Thursday, February 1, 2001
name: A El-Abour
country: USA
comments: Thank you for your patriotic and honorable stand towards subject matter. With all the transformation in your music, we all know that, at your core, is a true Arab and a genuine nationalist.

Thursday, February 1, 2001
name: Ali abu mur
country: palestine
comments: comrade khalife,
The struggle is continuous by me and you and us.. all the poor people stand as one human to sing "montaseb al qamati amshi" holding their axes "ma3awel eldennieh el a2ereh" saying a big NO as you did.

Thursday, February 1, 2001
name: Najib Joe Hakim
country: USA
comments: Thanks for your support of the Palestinian people, Marcel. I understand withdrawing from such a large and prestigious engagement is quite a sacrifice and may probably lead to much criticism. But we must all do what we can to end Israeli crimes against humanity. And every grain of sand needs to be moved. Courage.