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Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Deserves Better Publicity Stunts
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 30, 2011
Modified Mar 30, 2011
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By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 30, 2011
Modified Mar 30, 2011
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Happy Global BDS Day of Action on Land Day! Today activists like the ones in this video will be calling for a boycott of Israel "until it respects the basic rights of Palestinians living under occupation, within Israel and in exile." To start the festivities early, on Saturday a flash mob of 30 keffiyeh-clad protesters performed a big dance number in Grand Central Terminal to the tune of "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey—but with the chorus "Don't stop boycottin'." Cringing already? Watch the video and get ready to change your name to Cringer Rogers:
Today's activities commemorate the March 30, 1976 deaths of six unarmed Palestinian protesters at the hands of Israeli military and police. BDS, by the way, stands for the tactics advocated by pro-Palestinian activists: "Boycotting" and "Sanctioning" Israel, as well as "Divestment" of "any involvement with corporations complicit in the violation of Palestinian rights."
Not to be outdone, pro-Israel activists are also staging their own protests this week; on Monday they erected a fake graffiti-covered bomb shelter in Washington Square Park to encourage "empathy for those living in fear in Israel." And this morning we received a press release announcing that a BDS Land Day counter-protest will occur in Union Square between 1 and 4 p.m. today, where "sexy Israel supporters will be handing out Victoria Secret panties in Union Square Park." (Victoria Secret is on the boycott list.) You'll be able to spot the supporters by their sexiness and their T-shirts, which ask "Do you like sexy panties? Then don't boycott Israel."
Save the panties, or don't stop boycotting? We need a few more flash mob dance numbers before we make up our minds. Can we get one with keffiyeh-clad clowns juggling yarmulkes? Do you have an opinion on the efficacy of protesting the inexorable Israeli-Palestinian stalemate with panties and chorus numbers? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to assert that Palestine doesn't exist, preferably in all caps.
Tagged
BDS
flash mob
Global BDS Day of Action on Land Day
israel
middle east
palestine
panties
peace
victoria's secret
video
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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