Culture

Leonard Cohen Performs Sold Out Concert in Israel Despite Boycott

by Mary Richard | September 25, 2009 at 04:57 am

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Canadian singer and poet Leonard Cohen performed to a sold out crowd in Israel Thursday night, despite many calls to cancel his show by Palestinian rights activists.

It was 75-year-old Cohen's first Israeli show in 30 years, and the concert reportedly sold out within 12 hours, although some tickets sold for more than $250.

Leonard Cohen Show to Benefit Israeli and Palestinian Children's Charities

The show was billed as a "concert for reconciliation, tolerance and peace." Proceeds, which may reach $2 million, will go to Israeli and Palestinian charities, many of which benefit children.

Amnesty International had agreed to help distribute funds raised from the concert to local charities, but later pulled its support.

In a statement, the rights group said it's "impressed by Leonard Cohen's commitment to use his talent to benefit directly those working for human rights and continues to hope that this wish will be realized. Amnesty International has taken no position on boycotts anywhere in the world," the statement continued.

Cohen offered to do a second show in the Ramallah, but it was scrapped when some Palestinians complained because the concert was being sponsored by Discount Bank, directly linked to Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Critics of the Cohen boycott point out that Madonna, Lady Gaga and the Pet Shop Boys, all of whom recently put on for-profit concerts in Israel, faced almost no opposition to their performances, despite Madonna wrapping herself in an Israeli flag at the conclusion of her concert earlier this month.

Leonard Cohen was an easy target and fell right into the trap," Dr Gerald Steinberg, chairman of NGO Monitor and head of the Political Science Department at Bar Ilan University told The Media Line. "These organizations, like other political organizations, pick their targets based on which will get their cause the best publicity. Leonard Cohen opened the door by having the pretense of trying to link a music concert with grand political gestures. When he brought in the organizations he brought in the boycott movement."

Cohen was born in Montreal, Quebec to Jewish parents, but now practices Buddhism.

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Amy Judd

at 07:41 on September 25th, 2009

I would have thought that if Madonna was allowed, Cohen should have been ok as well.

jody (not verified)

at 12:21 on September 25th, 2009

Does Madonna's following of the Kaballah make her more Jewish than Leonard Cohen? No wonder she's draping herself in the Star of David....

tikun

at 12:19 on September 25th, 2009

It was a night to remember.

Yellow Guitar

at 12:58 on September 28th, 2009

No doubt. Wish I could've been there. He's one of the greatest songwriters our nation has produced ... and there is stiff competition with the likes of Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, David Francie ... I don't mean to bragg, but Vive Le Canadien! :~)

Glad the concert went ahead, and that the old fella can still draw an appreciative crowd. Cheers.

tikun

at 06:25 on September 29th, 2009

I do not even think that anyone comes close to the master. All that you have mentioned are talented in their own right but he is in another league altogether.