I love Leonard Cohen. Can we just leave politics out if it....enjoy the music. People can protest if they want to..whatever! Hippiechick

Posted by hippiechick | 27.08.09, 15:24 GMT

As an Irish man, can I just say how downright disgusted I am with the Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign for trying to lobby Amnesty International to discourage Leonard Cohen from playing in Tel Aviv. Here is a musician who says he will donate all proceeds of the concert to assisting reconciliation between the two communities, enabling Israeli and Palestinian peace groups for projects providing health services to children and bringing together Israeli veterans and former Palestinian fighters and the families of those killed in the conflict. That can ONLY be a good thing – don’t believe me, ask the Palestinian and Israeli families who’ve lost love-ones. It pains me to think that the IPSC wish to deprive ordinary Israeli music lovers whose crime was being born into a certain country the chance of a wonderful musical experience. It similarly pains me to think that a few dictatorial Palestinian radicals would deprive ordinary decent Palestinian
music lovers this chance

Posted by Andrew | 11.08.09, 19:17 GMT

You're right, that was a peaceful protest, but aren't there other more suitable places, people and events? This only brought confusion to those who observed this protest or learned about it.

Posted by wem | 11.08.09, 05:58 GMT

Palestinians are tired of being considered only after Israel is pointed at. What good is it if you plan a concert in the occupied territory AFTER continuing plans for the occupier? As if the situations are equal. hah. The resistance is criticized if it's violent, of course. If there cannot be a non-violent peaceful cultural resistance, what else is left?
This opinion letter makes no sense.

Posted by Sara | 10.08.09, 19:13 GMT

I encourage the protesters to post their comment here, maybe we'll understand them better. I have a lot of sympathy for the suffering of the Palestinians, displaced after the World War II without their consent while the world watched. They suffered and still suffer injustice and persecution from their Israeli neighbor. But I think they are distorted by their suffering and try to hit blindly around everybody, justily or not. First they should listen to Leonard Cohen's songs, than take time to think and then decide to protest or not. Evidently, they did not listen first. Through music and songs some people, although not perfect themselves, bring us closer to what most of us believe is God, and LC is one of those people, he is a treasure. I am a Christian and believe in forgiveness as the way to go ahead with life, or we all will perish. I suffered a lot myself but, really, that is the only way to go on. The protests against those who try to be just will make the struggle harder.

Posted by Wem | 10.08.09, 06:39 GMT

Phil - you need to check out your facts. Israel is the only liberal democracy in thee Middle East - in fact their electoral system is so democratic it makes government forming a very trying exercise. The Kennest members represent everyone in Israeli society - religous,secular, Arab Jew and Christian. There are Communist MK's and there are right wing representatives.
So to link, in your comments, Iran and Israel as examples of "theocracies" illustrates pure ignorance.

Posted by andrew j shaw | 05.08.09, 15:26 GMT

Amy - what political statements has Leonard Cohen made which which warrant protest?I suppose you would apply the same criteria to Annie Lennox, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan? - well you probably would with Dylan since he is Jewish as well!
By the way where did you get the idea Cohen flew for the IAF during the Yom Kippur war? Firstly he was not a trained fighter pilot, if a pilot at all. Secondly he was/is not an Israeli citizen. finally I know Israel was under extreme threat during the opening days of the war but to pluck a 38year old Canadian singer out of the crowd and stick him in a cockpit beggars belief!!
Actually Cohen was performing in Israel in October 1973 when the arabs attacked. However he simply volunteered to partake in humanitarian work. But I suppose that justifies protesting! It's ok to perform aid work with Palestinians (which it is) but not Israelis?

Posted by andrew j shaw | 05.08.09, 10:12 GMT

I think it is a little impossible for you to say that "The Palestinians may wish to show contempt for the singer's concert..." Surely you can't speak for all of them, or judge them all by a handful of people?

I too am a fan of Leonard, but we shouldn't let that make us ignorant.

Posted by Garth | 05.08.09, 02:19 GMT

This article is precisely why there is a need for a Bill of Rights for the north of Ireland. Protest should be guaranteed in any democracy. I understand that is not true of theocracies like Iran and Israel. But northern Ireland holds itself out as a democracy. If someone wants to protest, let them. As for no one coming to us, I certainly remember seeing U2 and the Wolfe Tones. Of course, they were Irish bands.

Posted by Phil | 04.08.09, 21:43 GMT

I was at the Odyssey and (unless I missed something) all I saw was two people handing out leaflets at the door which I refused and some idiot holding up a piece of paper on the concert floor after the concert had ended. She obviously enjoyed it so much she waited until towards the end just in case she got thrown out.

Not to much of a protest, dispicable or otherwise. To be honest I have seen more people in a telephone box. Just goes to show what support these do-gooders have. Perhaps they should get back to the dole queue until they come up with another 'worthy cause'.

PS I don't understand the DUP reference but nice to see Gerry Kelly and Cedric Wilson there. Don't think they were sitting together though......

Posted by smiler | 04.08.09, 19:59 GMT

Agree totally with Colin. Bob Dylan wrote a song called Neighborhood Bully in defence of Israel, should he be picketed too? Its time this nonsense of a Boycott was replaced with a willingness to engage in the real issues standing in the way of peace.

Posted by Av | 03.08.09, 23:45 GMT

'Sounds like they were too wrapped up in their own bitterness and hatred. Blind Hatred that stopped them from seeing and hearing'

Posted by Reuben

Can you please equate this with the homophobic sentiments you expressed in the gay pride story today?......Outstanding hypocrasy Reuben, but hey....maybe god will forgive you!

Posted by mark | 03.08.09, 18:00 GMT

Good mention Colin. These Anti-Israel protesters came to protest against the Canadian Leonard Cohen who came to entertain them with his wonderful music. Sounds a bit Stupid and Childish of the protesters. Why didnt they just enjoy the music. Sounds like they were too wrapped up in their own bitterness and hatred. Blind Hatred that stopped them from seeing and hearing the good that was. Hope your doing well.

Posted by Reuben | 03.08.09, 15:08 GMT

I think Amy that it is you who missed that point. Leonard is an entertainer and such a protest was not justified as there is a time and a place!

Posted by robbo | 03.08.09, 13:54 GMT

Amy , just because you do not agree with them does not make their beliefs right either

Posted by ron54 | 03.08.09, 13:51 GMT

I'd be interested to hear from someone who supported or attended the action, is it OK to protest at anything with Israeli or Jewish activities?

I understand hostility to the action of the Israeli state, but would this not be akin to boycotting and protesting against Westlife or Take That depending on which side of the divide you fall on here?

Posted by bigchiefally | 03.08.09, 10:49 GMT

Colin,

I think you miss the point on protests. Because Belfast can call itself a city of peace, people are allowed to protest (last time I checked that was part of democracy)

Just because you don't agree with them doesn't make their beliefs wrong.

Posted by Amy | 03.08.09, 10:39 GMT