Since we want people to start visiting this site, we are releasing this scoop on this blog before we release it out to the news networks:
The first-ever Get-Out-The-Vote Campaign in the Palestinian Authority, conducted by OneVoice-Palestine, is about to release a Public Service Announcement that will turn heads: it juxtaposes Sheikh Taysir al Tamimi, the Chief Palestinian Islamic Justice, and Father Attallah Hanna, the Patriarchite of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, with Richard Gere, the film star and humanitarian. They all encourage the Palestinian people to go out and vote. Sheikh Tamimi calls it a "religious and a national commandment" to participate in the elections.
The 1 minute ad will air on Palestinian National TV as well as on local Palestinian stations during the week prior to the Presidential elections.
UPDATE: The full video of the PSA is now posted. You can download the MPEG file here or from the media sidebar at right.
Fantastic, Daniel. Any chance that you could post a video clip here for people who don't live where it will be broadcast?
Posted by: John | January 03, 2005 at 06:29 PM
I agree with John...could you post the video clip?
Posted by: Some American | January 05, 2005 at 12:09 AM
A man is known by the company he keeps. Find out about the "company" Gere keeps in this commercial by clicking on my name.
Posted by: salt1907 | January 05, 2005 at 01:25 PM
Can I just ask one question? What makes this Palestinian "election" democratic? Is there anybody who can name a candidate other than the Arafat clone, Mahmood Abbas? Who? And how much attention are they getting in the Palestinian media? How much campaign funding do they have? This isn't an election. And even before you talk about an election, doesn't democracy imply some protection of minority rights? For example, is it a democracy if it is typical for gays to be publicly lynched in city squares? Just asking.
Posted by: Mike | January 05, 2005 at 09:02 PM
Richard Gere speaking for BUSH ??
such a bullshit add prepared and cooked in the white house
Posted by: soleil | January 05, 2005 at 11:54 PM
salt1907, the complaints about Sheikh Tamimi are centered on two quotes from 10 years ago. In fact, he has been a force against Hamas.
I am the son of a Holocaust survivor who as a child had to endure pains in Dachau. I know from what I was taught that the way to prevent future holocausts is to actively fight to change things, and not just to watch and complain.
Thus, when Richard Gere and OneVoice (of which I am a part of) work to bring in to the fore nationalist hawks and succeed in getting them to be a part of a move towards democratization, it is a positive step for all except the extremists. Keep in mind that Sheikh Tamimi is urging Palestinians to vote in direct contravention to Hamas's call to boycott the elections!
The Palestinian Authority certainly has a long way to go before it builds a vibrant democracy. THAT IS WHY WE ARE DOING WHAT WE ARE DOING. TO HELP GET THERE, which will benefit Palestinians as well as the world.
Posted by: Daniel | January 06, 2005 at 08:07 PM
Note to the Buddhist Richard Gere:
On the Eightfold path of Buddhism, note "Right Activity, " ... In addition to the will to succeed is the knowledge of where we are on our spiritual journey - we should not attempt to complete stages for which we are not prepared."
Richard Gere -- you are not prepared to galvanize the Palestinian vote. Your ego has led you into behaving like an ass ..
Posted by: Ron Mwangaguhunga | January 07, 2005 at 01:50 PM
This blog is new for us but we are now being called upon to set some policies. We will foster freedom of speech and encourage any healthy and hearty criticism or support of OneVoice and any other topics, but we will remove any nasty personal attacks particularly against supporters that are not our principals and that risk everything for no other benefit than to help make this a better world.
Posted by: Daniel Lubetzky | January 07, 2005 at 08:44 PM
Ron, the truth is Richard is one of the kindest, most down-to-earth and most humble people you can ever meet. He is extremely sincere about his efforts and gains nothing personal while risking a lot, including his own life, going to meet even extremist elements on both societies to bring them on board. Have you seen the PSA at www.OneVoiceMovement.org? I doubt that if you actually see the spot you will feel anything other than appreciation for Richard's courage and sincerity.
Rather than stand still or just live in Hollywood fantasies, he invests himself in DOING something for our entire global community. The PSA he recorded because WE ASKED HIM to do it is VITALLY important to awaken the youth to voting. And unlike what people not living in the West Bank and Gaza think, his ad was ENORMOUSLY impactful and the people are very thankful for his investment and support. You will hear more about this soon.
Posted by: Daniel Lubetzky | January 07, 2005 at 08:49 PM
Rather than stand still or just live in Hollywood fantasies, he invests himself in DOING something for our entire global community. The PSA he recorded because WE ASKED HIM to do it is VITALLY important to awaken the youth to voting. And unlike what people not living in the West Bank and Gaza think, his ad was ENORMOUSLY impactful and the people are very thankful for his investment and support. You will hear more about this soon.
Posted by: kuri | April 29, 2008 at 05:45 AM