Many artists have been tricked by bigots into canceling gigs in Israel. The Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement is attempting to trick good willed artists into cancelling their tours of Israel by suggesting that Israel is an apartheid state.

Yet the truth is Israel is the ONLY liberal democracy in the Middle East, with a large Arab population living in total equality.

"We do not want to create a situation like that which exists in South Africa, where the whites are the owners and rulers, and the blacks are the workers."

– David Ben-Gurion, first Prime Minister of Israel, addressing Musa Alami in 1934

"In the Jewish State, Jews will not have any right that is denied to Arabs."

– David Ben Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel, addressing the JNF in 1947

The comparison to South African apartheid is repulsive.

Non-Whites in South Africa could not vote, become citizens, run for office or form political parties.

All Israeli Arabs can vote or run for office, in fact the third most popular political party in Israel is an Arab one and there are many Arab members of Parliament.

Non-Whites in South Africa were prohibited from running businesses in white areas without permits.

Free to trade anywhere in Israel, there is no such thing as a “Jew area”.

Separate beaches, buses, benches, drinking fountains, restrooms, etc.

Same amenities as Jews, it is illegal to discriminate or segregate within Israel.

Inferior and segregated education, medical care and other public services.

Public services are equal, in education Christian Arabs outperform every other religious group (including religious Jews).

In fact, Israel is a safe haven for many Arabs facing persecution in the Muslim world. Many gay Palestinians seek sanctuary in Israel where they are free to love whomever they choose without fear of death. While many Syrians and Palestinians are treated in israeli hospitals after suffering terrible afflictions at the hands of Hamas and ISIS.

Israel is the only liberal democracy in the Middle East. It has complete freedom of religion, a diverse demography (20% of the population are Arab), equality of rights for all. It is the only country in the Middle East to recognise same-sex unions.

There are 27 countries where Islam is the official religion and 26 Christian ones. Why oppose the world’s only Jewish state?

In proportion to its population, Israel has the largest number of startup companies in the world. In absolute terms, Israel has more startups (3,500) than any other country except the US.

Throughout Israel’s history its doctors, scientists and researchers have produced countless medical advances. After America it has the most medical patents in the world per capita and its innovations have saved the lives of millions.

The tragedy of this is that while the BDS persuade gullible artists to boycott Israel, they themselves do not boycott. Omar Barghouti the BDS founder was born in Qatar and currently studies at an Israeli University (TAU).

Don't fall for their lies.

Don't let the boycotters spread further hatred. Boycotts divide, music unties. Alt-J be part of the solution and ignore the bigoted boycott - come and play in Israel to a multicultural crowd that loves you.