Jewish Voice for Peace has collected over 150 names of Obie/Emmy/Tony/Pulitzer and other prize- winning theater and film professionals in support of the Israeli actors'/playwrights' boycott of Israeli settlements. The issue has exploded in Israel and now support for the boycott has

gone global.

Supporters include: Theodore Bikel, Mira Nair, JuliAnne Moore, Hal Prince, Stephen Sondheim, Cynthia Nixon, Tony Kushner, Mandy Patinkin, Eve Ensler, Jennifer Tilly, Ed Asner, Wallace Shawn, James Schamus and many more.

Ed Asner, actor "It is always amazing when actors turn down jobs. To have the actors of Israel say they will not work in those venues is truly an act of courage. I applaud them and would love to instill the actors of America with that courage."

Rebecca Vilkomerson, Executive Director of Jewish Voice for Peace: "The response of American artists to the courageous actions of their Israeli counterparts is just phenomenal. It is especially notable that so many of the signatories are Jewish Americans with long-standing connections to Israel. We hope that the strong show of solidarity by Americans in response to these brave Israelis will help spark a new conversation in both countries, one that acknowledges that the Jewish settlements in the occupied territories are illegal by every measure of international law, contribute to the daily violation of human rights of Palestinians, and are a major obstacle to a just peace in

the region."

Corey Fischer, co-founder of the Traveling Jewish Theater (now Jewish Theater San Francisco), "It seems to me that, as often happens in our times, these artists are taking on what was traditionally the task of the Hebrew Prophets: speaking truth to power. I hope someone is listening."

The Israeli theatre community recently released a petition in which they refused to perform in the West Bank because of news that performances were being planned for Ariel's new cultural center. The group of artists participating in the boycott hope that their actions will only highlight the injustice of the current occupation.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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