Boycotting Israel celeb-style!

Published May 12th, 2013 - 03:31 GMT

Revered British physicist Stephen Hawking is more accustomed to making headlines in the Science section but his image has been smothered on front pages across the world recently after he pulled out of an academic conference due to be held in Jerusalem this summer.

This kind of thing used to be all the rage among lefty celebs in the West, especially around the time that Israeli forces raided an aid flotilla bound for Gaza in 2010. But since it’s been a little while since the last celeb snubbed a visit to the holy lands, we thought we’d refresh your memory and bring all the celeb boycotters together in one gallery.

Have we forgotten anyone? Should celebrities boycott Israel? Share your comments with us below!

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British cosmologist Stephen Hawking pulled out of a conference in Jerusalem hosted by Israeli president, Shimon Peres, in protest of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. The famous scientist’s name was quietly dropped from the list of participants but news of his decision to back the academic boycott of the Jewish state soon went public.

Lebanese indie kids Mashrou’ Leila were living the dream when they were booked to rock out with the world-famous Red Hot Chili Peppers in Beirut. But the dream soon became a nightmare when, despite pleas from pro-Palestinian fans, the Chili’s refused to drop their Tel Aviv concert. Mashrou’ Leila pulled out in protest.

In June 2010, US rockers Pixies cancelled their first-ever performance in Israel, citing "events beyond our control". Although the band didn’t give a reason for the cancellation, organisers said it was linked to an Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla the previous week.

In 2008, Snoop Dogg decided not to play ball with Israel, pulling out of a planned gig at the Rishon Lezion Amphitheater. The world-famous rapper who has said ‘fo’ shizzle’ to a number of other Mideast venues reportedly pulled out of the show because of ‘contractual difficulties’.

Last year, anti-apartheid peace-lover, Stevie Wonder, was set to use his bluesy tones to raise big bucks for Israel's controversial army. However - with a little help from his fans - the 62-year-old promoter of peace realized he is no 'friend' of the Israeli Defense Forces after all and pulled out of the show.

Following the Israeli raid on a Turkish flotilla carrying aid bound for Gaza in 2010, actor Dustin Hoffman declined his invitation to the Jerusalem film festival, along with Meg Ryan.

Celebrated lefty academic Noam Chomsky is reported to have lobbied Hawking to withdraw from the conference this June. The veteran U.S. professor’s support for the Palestinian cause is almost as well known as his seminal works.

In 2011, Johnny Depp’s popstar partner Vanessa Paradis pulled out of a concert due to be held in Israel after it emerged that the actor would be attending the gig. Whilst the trip was officially cancelled for professional reasons, a number of lobbying groups had pressured the pair not to attend prior to the announcement.

After a campaign from his supporters, revolutionary poet and singer/songwriter Gil Scott Heron cancelled a gig he was due to play in Tel Aviv back in 2010, announcing the decision on stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

British cosmologist Stephen Hawking pulled out of a conference in Jerusalem hosted by Israeli president, Shimon Peres, in protest of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. The famous scientist’s name was quietly dropped from the list of participants but news of his decision to back the academic boycott of the Jewish state soon went public.

Lebanese indie kids Mashrou’ Leila were living the dream when they were booked to rock out with the world-famous Red Hot Chili Peppers in Beirut. But the dream soon became a nightmare when, despite pleas from pro-Palestinian fans, the Chili’s refused to drop their Tel Aviv concert. Mashrou’ Leila pulled out in protest.

In June 2010, US rockers Pixies cancelled their first-ever performance in Israel, citing "events beyond our control". Although the band didn’t give a reason for the cancellation, organisers said it was linked to an Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla the previous week.

In 2008, Snoop Dogg decided not to play ball with Israel, pulling out of a planned gig at the Rishon Lezion Amphitheater. The world-famous rapper who has said ‘fo’ shizzle’ to a number of other Mideast venues reportedly pulled out of the show because of ‘contractual difficulties’.

Last year, anti-apartheid peace-lover, Stevie Wonder, was set to use his bluesy tones to raise big bucks for Israel's controversial army. However - with a little help from his fans - the 62-year-old promoter of peace realized he is no 'friend' of the Israeli Defense Forces after all and pulled out of the show.

Following the Israeli raid on a Turkish flotilla carrying aid bound for Gaza in 2010, actor Dustin Hoffman declined his invitation to the Jerusalem film festival, along with Meg Ryan.

Celebrated lefty academic Noam Chomsky is reported to have lobbied Hawking to withdraw from the conference this June. The veteran U.S. professor’s support for the Palestinian cause is almost as well known as his seminal works.

In 2011, Johnny Depp’s popstar partner Vanessa Paradis pulled out of a concert due to be held in Israel after it emerged that the actor would be attending the gig. Whilst the trip was officially cancelled for professional reasons, a number of lobbying groups had pressured the pair not to attend prior to the announcement.

After a campaign from his supporters, revolutionary poet and singer/songwriter Gil Scott Heron cancelled a gig he was due to play in Tel Aviv back in 2010, announcing the decision on stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

Tags:Jerusalem Gaza Stephen Hawking

Boycotting Israel celeb-style!

In June 2010, US rockers Pixies cancelled their first-ever performance in Israel, citing "events beyond our control". Although the band didn’t give a reason for the cancellation, organisers said it was linked to an Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla the previous week.

In 2008, Snoop Dogg decided not to play ball with Israel, pulling out of a planned gig at the Rishon Lezion Amphitheater. The world-famous rapper who has said ‘fo’ shizzle’ to a number of other Mideast venues reportedly pulled out of the show because of ‘contractual difficulties’.

Following the Israeli raid on a Turkish flotilla carrying aid bound for Gaza in 2010, actor Dustin Hoffman declined his invitation to the Jerusalem film festival, along with Meg Ryan.

Celebrated lefty academic Noam Chomsky is reported to have lobbied Hawking to withdraw from the conference this June. The veteran U.S. professor’s support for the Palestinian cause is almost as well known as his seminal works.

After a campaign from his supporters, revolutionary poet and singer/songwriter Gil Scott Heron cancelled a gig he was due to play in Tel Aviv back in 2010, announcing the decision on stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

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