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Israeli Performers Boycott Settlement Theaters

   VOA News 29 August 2010
   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Photo: AP

   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

   A  group  of  Israeli  actors,  writers and directors is vowing not to
   perform in Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

   More  than  50  members  of  Israel's  theater community have signed a
   petition  to  boycott  performances  at  a state-funded theater in the
   northern West Bank settlement of Ariel.

   Prime  Minister  Benjamin  Netanyahu  told his Cabinet Sunday that the
   Israeli  government does not need to provide funding to the performers
   taking part in the boycott.

   Mr.  Netanyahu  said  the  performers'  actions play into the hands of
   international   efforts  to  delegitimize  Israel  with  economic  and
   cultural boycotts.

   The  protest  comes as Israeli and Palestinian leaders prepare to meet
   in Washington this week to resume stalled Middle East peace talks.

   Both  Israelis  and  Palestinians  say  they  hold  little  hope  that
   U.S.-mediated  direct  talks  will  yield any results or make progress
   toward ending the decades-old conflict in the Middle East.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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