Monday, February 5, 2001
name: Mohammed
country: Saudi Arabia
comments: Marcel has done it again.
Marcel's withdrawl should be a lesson for those of us who allow every day life to consume our energy and thoughts, and forget about the important things in life.
Based on conviction alone, he took a stand.
While I know that we all share Marcel's convictions, I think we can all learn something out of this in terms of doing something about it.

Monday, February 5, 2001
name: nour
country: lebanon
comments: Well, first i want to say hi to marcel and to all the people who gave their opinions ... whatever it is. The main thing is to say what we think loudly, and be proud of it.
I want to give all my respects to this big person who made us believe in our being and in where we belong, in the hardest days of the war...
To this beautiful mind and soul, i'll tell what i think honestly. What happened about the concert in Australia wasn't a mind choice of you. It was your feelings as an Arabic who carries a nation's pain...
I understand that, our dear artist, but, although you taught us something very important, and i'll just repeat now. I'll write it in Arabic. sorry .. "takhatti l fardiya , al 3a2iliyyah, al manatikiyyah, al watanniyah, al 3orkiyya, ila kayan akthar insaniyyah ... "
That's my comment. I hope i can get any comments about it. Discussing is the first way to learn. with all my love,
noni_81@hotmail.com

Monday, February 5, 2001
name: Ahmed
country: Agadir - Morocco
comments: Quels Droits de l'homme vous defendez M.Khalifa?
Azul fellak a Marcel Khalifa,
Je ne savais pas que vous etes un activiste des droits de l'homme?, quels droit alors vous defendez quand vous acceptez par exemple de participer a un concert sponsorise par des gouvernement de Dictatures soit en Afrique du Nord ou en Iraq, Syrie, Liban qui tue de plus en plus des Palestinians plus qu'Israel. je ne defend pas Israel, mais je dis la Logique et la verite, parceque quand on est un "Human Right activist", cela veut dire automatiquement qu'on doit defendre le droit la ou il est sans distinction a cause de la Langue, Culture, Religion, Race, Sexe etc.. Vous avez participe a des "Galas", au Maroc ou les Imazighen (berberes), n'ont pas le droit de nommer leurs enfants en Amazigh (berbere), en Algerie aussi, en Iraq ou le Plus Grand dictateur Arabo-Baathiste du monde tue avec des Armes Interdites a l'echelle Internationale...!!! des KURDES qui ne demandent que ce que le peuple Palestinian demande et encore moins, Quels Droits vous defendez alors "le grand" artiste? Je me rappelle que j'ai signe une petition au Maroc pour vous avec trois autres de mes amis, meme si je ne suis pas Arabe (Je suis Activiste des droits Humain), parce qu'a l'epoque je croyais que vous etiez qu'un Brave artiste, et les artistes pour moi doivent etre supporte en tant que tel, mais quand je decouvre que vous ete "activiste", et vous refusez de participer a cote d'un autre artiste -Parceque vous etes Activiste pour les droits des Palestinians- cela me fera changer d'avis, surtout qu'un activiste d'apres ce que je connais, ne doit jamais faire de distinction entre les peuples et les races et les cultures... Mais ce genre d'"activiste" que vous ete M. Khalifa, on en a en Pagaille au Maroc, des Arabo-Baathistes qui ne voient et qui ne s'interessent qu'aux droits des arabes et seulement Arabes, cela n'a qu'un seul nom dans le monde entier :"Chauvinisme". En Attendant que vous ferez le boycott au Galas Nord africains et la ou les droits des individus et des peuples sont bafoues, Recevez M. Khalifa mes meilleures salutations .
Ahmed Lachgar Agwilal
Agadir - Maroc

Tuesday, February 6, 2001
name: Omar Mais
country: Lebanon
comments: I congratulate the big artist and my friend, Marcel Khalife , on his important decision. But I am not surprised , because I am used to his big and write decisions in these situations, and in a lot of his CDs he sings about the South of Lebanon, and The Palestinians, and about those israelian murderers.
So thank You Marcel, because you are of the few people that take a stand with the write thing even if it's again your own benefit.

Tuesday, February 6, 2001
name: Any human
country: USA
comments: I commend you on your refusal to sing along side anyone representing the Israeli government, esp. during these times. Womadelaide should be embarrassed to ask you to sing alongside someone representing the Israeli government... the same ones who have killed over 350 Palestinians in less that 5 months...
And the sad part is that they dont even understand!

Tuesday, February 6, 2001
name: soraya asmar
country: australia
comments: I write this with respect to music and justice alike and with a deep-felt support for Marcel Khalife's refusal to rub shoulders with the Israeli state, be it in relation to music, art or any other dimension of life. Although there is a lot I could write about here I want only to point out how Womadelaide's representatives have failed to understand just what exactly the Israeli state represents to Palestinian people.
For a start, Palestinians are not being anti-semitic when we express outrage at Israel and its government. As most educated people are aware, Arabs and Jews have a shared history and the antagonism existing today is the direct result of the forceful and bloody invasion of 1948 when the Zionist forces swept through Palestinian villages with the intention of getting rid of the Arabs who farmed and lived on the land in order to create a "Jewish only" state. We live now as a population whose majority are refugees scattered all over the world and whose memories carry the heartache of dispossession, massacres, imprisonment and torture. So do not be surprised if after an extremely traumatic period last year where around 400 Palestinian lives (mostly young children) have yet again been taken by Israeli bullets we feel offended by the very mention of the Israeli state and seek to have no part in it.
The Israeli state is a working, functioning and alive example of modern day Aparthied wherein one set of people are treated as human beings and the other are humiliated on a day to day level and are viewed as sub-human in their own country. I would have expected that the organisers of Womadelaide would have had more integrity than to appeal to the Israeli Embassy for funding, because they are linked hand-in-hand with racist and appalling abuses of human rights as has been noted on numerous times by the UN. I always thought of your festival as a grounds for learning and growth but can not hide that I am disappointed with your failure to empathise with Marcel Khalife. It would have been more sensitive for you to appeal to one of the many other Jewish organisations existing in Australia for funding. I would also like to say that you should not try to compare the Australian Arabic Council with the Israeli Embassy as they are two very different entities with vastly opposing objectives.
As a musician I greatly appreciate all the efforts you put into organising Womadelaide. I would ask only that you do not simplify the oppression of Palestinians into a tit-for-tat political game. It is very real for us and I am sure that Khalife felt wounded when your letter to him implied that his desire to remain distant from the Israeli state was somehow in opposition to peace. I would argue that on the contrary, his integrity is a step towards peace. Achieving any hope for the future will inevitably mean that the iron-fist mentalities of the Israeli government are denied a place within the hills of Palestine and Israel.
Thank you and I hope the festival is enjoyed by everyone.
Who knows, you might even offer up a moment of silence in support for our struggle!
Palestine Lives...
soraya asmar

Tuesday, February 6, 2001
name: Wafa Abu Farha
country: PALESTINE
comments: Dear Mr.Khalife,
The decision is yours, and we support you with what ever you decide.
But i think that our presence in such a festival is really one of the ways to struggle the unhuman acts of Israel. One song of yours, which express your beliefs could make the point clear to many people that do not even know about the struggle we are going through.

Thursday, February 8, 2001
name: John Farah
country: Canada
comments: Bravo, marcel, for your integrity over human rights and speaking out against the oppression of Palestinians and Lebanese, when so few people have the courage to speak out.

Thursday, February 8, 2001
name: John Erlich
country: USA
comments: And when you grow up -/Can you then hurt another man/Who like you is a Miracle/He, too, is one of a kind/He, too, is a Miracle/You must cherish each other/You must work/We all must work/To make this world of ours/Worthy of its children.
Loving your country is a natural thing/Why does love end at the border?
-Chava Alberstein, "You Are a Miracle"

Thursday, February 8, 2001
name: tony wehbe
country: australia
comments: missed out
I 'probably understand what my long time friend marcel khalife calculation was when he cancelled his trip to australia. But it would have been really great if he made his music heard to the Australian audience.
We, as an arab community missed out on a great musical night from one of the best arabic musicians.
Also, we as gifted arabs prefer to keep our voice down when it comes to test.

Thursday, February 8, 2001
name: Salim Nasser
country: USA
comments: Dear Marcel:
I met with you when you were in New York last year (I am a friend of Alexandre Tannous). I love you and your music and songs. I want you to know how I, like many my Arab (Lebanese/-Palestinian) American friends feel about this issue. I think you should perform. I hope you can find a graceful way to change your decision. I hope it is not too late.
Regards,
Salim Nasser
PS: Please read the article "Refusing to appear on the same stage with Israel allows Israel to win" By Ray Hanania, Feb. 1, 2001 at the following URL http://www.hanania.com/columns/col02011.htm

Friday, February 9, 2001
name: Ali El-khatib
country: Canada
comments: Hi to Marcel
With love and respect, I support Marcel Khalife with every step and every word he says or sings...
and I am waiting to hear from him new songs for The Intifada in Palestine.

Friday, February 9, 2001
name: Omri Amor
country: Lebanon
comments: Greetings,
This is for the organization of Arabs in Australia that its letter of support appears on the page.
My wonders are there these: What are Arabs doing in Australia? Aren't they merely capitalizing on the genocide (or if you will 100 Nakbas) inflicted by the European invaders on the Native-Australians (aboriginals)?
From the perspective of the aboriginal victims, what exactly is the difference between the European invaders of Palestine and Arab invaders in Australia?

Friday, February 9, 2001
name: RAYAN
country: RIHANE, al ganoub lebanon
comments: Ana mohgab geddan bi mossikak , wa bimawakifak al moucharrifa , nahnou fi entizarika fi al rihane

Sunday, February 11, 2001
name: Mustafa Habib
country: USA
comments: Missed the point
It looks like Mr. Khalife's "long time friend" Mr. Tony Wehbe is afflicted with an acute case of amnesia. It is one thing to argue, perhaps even legitimately, that Mr. Khalife should have participated in the Womadelaide Festival rather than withdrawn. It is quite another thing to place him in the category of the "gifted arabs" who "prefer to keep" their "voice down when it comes to test."
Mr. Wehbe barely needs to scratch deep into his memory to wake up to the fact that Mr. Khalife's stance on Womadelaide squarely places him in the category of the quintessential Arab artist who throughout the years of his long and laborious career has, whether through music, words or actions, consistently refused to be silenced.
His decision on Womadelaide only reaffirms those stances and convictions that has long distinguished him from Mr. Wehbe's "gifted Arabs."
It is evident that Mr. Wehbe missed the point rather than, as he claims, that the Arab community in Australia "missed out" on Mr. Khalife's performance by his withdrawal.
I am sure that the Arab community in Australia and Australians at large will, in the near future as in the past, get the opportunity to experience and enjoy a "great musical night from one of the best arabic musicians," as Mr. Wehbe puts it.
Mustafa Habib

Sunday, February 11, 2001
name: Ibin FilisTeen
country: USA
comments: Thank you Marcel for making the right choice, especially during this hard time for our people. The support of the aparthied Israeli government is reason enough to not participate at such an event, next to someone who represents the oppressor, the occupier, the killer, the murdurer. God bless you and for a day when you will play after the complete liberation of Lebanese and Palestinian soil. Ibin Filisteen

Sunday, February 11, 2001
name: Feda Moussa
country: Australia
comments: God be with the Palestinians...

Sunday, February 11, 2001
name: Z
country: Australia
comments: Dear Mr Khalife ,
I am a great fan of your music . I was sorry to hear about your decision . I live in Melbourne and all i could hope is to see you performing here.
I do understand your point of view , which makes sence , after listening to your CDs , but i'm afraid i disagree with you .
You refuse to be on the same stage with one of the greatest supporters of the Palestinian issue in Israel (and fighting for leaving Lebanon at the time). I won't repeat , the mails before described it quite well . On the other hand , all i can read here is people blinded by hate , with the great goal of destroying the 'zionists' .
I read these mails again and again and couldn't understand what's to be so proud off ? Fight till the end of what ? Do these people really believe what they say ? If it's about killing and body counting , i'm afraid both sides can do it , and i think , with all the sorrow , after decades of struggle , it's pointless and leeds nowhere .
Both sides lost too many inocent kids , people . I know most of the people here ignore the fact that there is always some other side of the story.
You want to make your point ? Go and convince others and make your voice heard . Chava thinks her goverment is mistaken , and through her songs made it quite clear (it almost cost her in her life , from some other Israelis) and that's what i call fight . And she did it not only by singing , demonstrations as well . It's easy to shout 'blood' and 'war' and 'murderors', but the real brave ones (Mandela , since the mails mentioned S. Africa ) , they know when it's time to look fwd and fight to get some results and not just more blood , all or nothing .
I see no point saying 'but you ..' ,it's easy ,endless and leading nowhere .
I wish you could change your mind and play in Australia , making your voice heard and wishing to peace at the meadlle east with all nations together and not by 'removing' some unwanted nations from the map .
Thank you for the music , i'll be looking fwd for some bright days.
Z.

Tuesday, February 13, 2001
name: Paul Maroun
country: Australia
comments: Reply to Tony Wehbe's comments
This is a reply to what Mr. T. Wehbe had to say about Marcel Khalife's withdrawal from the Womad Festival 2001.
By saying "we as gifted Arabs prefer to keep our voice down when it comes to test" Mr. Wehbe seems to speak for all or most of the attitudes of the gifted Arabic people including artists. Despite the patronising approach this generalisation embraces it may well be true but it can never encompass Marcel khalife's reasons for withdrawing from the Womad Festival.
As the representative of Marcel Khalife in Australia in his dealings with the Womad Festival, 2001, I would like to assert, on his behalf, that his reasons have nothing to do with Mr. Weehbe's statement. Marcel's two letters to the Festival's organiser, Mr. Ian Scobie, state clearly that his reason for withdrawing from the Festival is to show his objection to the support of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs - [the home of the Mossad and the Shin Bet] - and the Israeli Embassy in Australia bestowed on the Israeli singer Shava Alberstein's participation in the Festival. Also to show his disapproval of the murderous deeds Zionism is committing on the ground in Middle Eastern countries such as Lebanon and Palestine - or what is left of Palestine.
The two letters deliver a clear and loud rebuff to the Zionists' propaganda in their desperate attempt to cover up for the current act of murder with that of the noble Art of Music. They claim that because Ms Shava Alberstein sings for peace, therefore acts like those perpetrated by Mr. Sharon in the past: Sabra & Shatila, the invasion of Lebanon, the Palestinian village massacre, acts perpetrated at present: the armed visit to the "Haram Al-Sharif" Mosque and acts perpetrated in the furure: the possible use of nuclear and biological weapons, acts such as those are sanctioned. As Marcel puts it clearly and as the election of Mr. Sharon confirmed his words: "I can not accept to be at the same table with my murderer leaving behind my destroyed Home and dispossessed family... despite all illusionary understandings in recent years of unjust peace projects".
This shows how far is Mr. Wehbe's assessment from Marcel Khalife's spirited and purposeful move in withdrawing from the Womad Festival 2001. Marcel's voice could not have been louder.
Paul Maroun.

Tuesday, February 13, 2001
name: N. E. Pressimone
country: USA
comments: I can understand why Khalife would refuse to perform on the same stage as an Israeli.
However, it serves no purpose to the rest of the world. The audience is being cheated out of a very good informer and entertainer of the Palestinian people.
Do not blanket your talent - only to be flaunted by Israeli mis-information and second-rate performers.
Palestinian culture must survive and thrive!