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South African DJ Black Coffee has found himself at the centre of a storm after performing in Israel.
The DJ, who is currently touring the world, tweeted a video of the crowd at a performance in Tel Aviv on the weekend.
Thank you @the.tripping I Love you Telaviv ❤️
Now off to @AwakeningFestiv afternoon set and Venice at night.#Godsveryown #soldout pic.twitter.com/UO2rJDhCZ3— Black Coffee (@RealBlackCoffee) March 31, 2018
The tweet caused outrage, as many expected Black Coffee to have joined the cultural boycott against Israel. Hundreds of artists have refused to perform in the country, citing its “apartheid”-like treatment of Palestine. In a letter published by The Guardian in 2015, a hundred more artists announced they were joining the boycott.
The letter reads:
“Israel’s wars are fought on the cultural front too. Its army targets Palestinian cultural institutions for attack, and prevents the free movement of cultural workers. Its own theatre companies perform to settler audiences on the West Bank – and those same companies tour the globe as cultural diplomats, in support of ‘Brand Israel’. During South African apartheid, musicians announced they weren’t going to ‘play Sun City’. Now we are saying, in Tel Aviv, Netanya, Ashkelon or Ariel, we won’t play music, accept awards, attend exhibitions, festivals or conferences, run masterclasses or workshops, until Israel respects international law and ends its colonial oppression of the Palestinians. To see the full list of supporters, go to artistsforpalestine.org.uk.”
Among the first to criticise Black Coffee’s decision to play in Israel was Floyd Shivambu of the EFF.
That Israel is killing innocent Palestinians & continuing with the occupation doesn’t matter? A DJ from SA, a country that benefited due to international solidarity must just go to Israel for a party & we Black people celebrate such? Where’s the political & moral consciousness?
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) April 2, 2018
South Africa’s isolation and the Academic & Cultural boycott are part of the reasons Apartheid capitulated to the call for freedom. It is morally & politically insensitive for DJ Black Coffee to just go on partying in Apartheid Israel, whilst it kills & oppresses innocent people.
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) April 2, 2018
He was joined by a chorus of activists, journalists and ordinary South Africans.
Retweet if you think Black Coffee playing in Israel this week, while Israel murdered children with snipers, is a national disgrace.
— Bram Hanekom (@bram_hanekom) April 2, 2018
Black Coffee is oscillating between arrogance and feigned innocence. It's actually pathetic that a grown person who has been so supported by people in this country, would choose to behave this way. Trash.
— Titty Mboweni* 🇵🇸 (@PearlPillay) April 1, 2018
