October 18, 2007 - Renown Arab musician Ilham al Madfai today refuted the allegation made by a boycotting group that he had refused to join the concert “One Million Voices To End the Conflict” organized by Souhtuna Falestin/OneVoice Palestine in Jericho. An article by Najib Farraj had indicated that Madfai had “stressed his withdrawal from the festival because of the lack of clarity in the political slogans and objectives of this festival.”
Madfai categorically denied stating anything of the sort. “I have been very clear to all those who have been calling that I regretted not being able to participate in OneVoice Palestine’s effort to raise the voice of the Palestinian people for an end to the occupation, and for peace in the region.”
Madfai added, “I call upon all boycott groups to stop threatening and intimidating artists and to respect the freedom of all.”
Madfai explained he had received a lot of “threatening phone calls and warnings” from groups opposed to his visit but he cherished the day when all logistical and travel challenges, including procuring visas for al his crew and band, could be resolved to enable him “to sing with the Palestinian people and with the people of the world, a song of peace, justice, dignity, respect, and hope.”
OneVoice Palestine, Souhtouna Falestin, is part of a movement of ordinary citizens that now surpasses 600,000 signatories not just in Palestine and the Arab world, but with citizens in solidarity across America, Europe and Israel, who agree on the imperative of ending the conflict and propelling and supporting their Heads of State to immediately commence negotiations, uninterrupted till the conclusion of a two state agreement.
The group has faced attacks from organizations that oppose a two-state-solution.
OneVoice Palestine’s Honorary Board includes the Chief Islamic Justice, Sheikh Taysir al Tamimi, the son of President Abbas, Yasser Mahmoud Abbas, Saeb Erakat, and a dozen more Palestinian dignitaries, scholars, and religious leaders. It has trained 1,800 Palestinian youth leaders and has offices in Gaza and Ramallah.
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