When violent, bigotted extremists start 'helping', PACBI should realise that, in its conception, execution or both, there must be something wrong with their boycott campaign.

And when PACBI is obliged to sweep the intimidation and threats they've inspired under the carpet in order to spin the cancellation of a global peace concert to their advantage, their campaign suddenly doesn't look so harmless. In fact it looks a bit like playing with fire.

There were supposed to be twin satellite-linked peace concerts in Jericho and Tel Aviv tonight organised by One Voice / One Million Voices. PACBI, however, was determined to scupper them and set out to get all Palestinians, from the punters and performers to the planning committee, to boycott the event. Some of PACBI's supporters took things further and threatened violence (well, sure - in the general scheme of things it must be difficult to persuade people that there's anything wrong with a peace concert). One Voice took the threats seriously and cancelled the Jericho event, and Tel Aviv cancelled in solidarity.

PACBI realised this didn't look at all look good. Although they have no means of vouching for their supporters they were forced to rubbish the threats of violence as "obvious falsehood and slander" so that they could claim the cancellation as the fruit of their boycott work alone. Misleadingly they also thanked the Palestinian peformers by name as if they'd dropped out at PACBI's behest.

But performer Ilham Madfai, one of those PACBI thanks, released a statement today refuting PACBI, reproduced below. He denies he dropped out and confirmed the threats and intimidation PACBI were so keen to sweep under the carpet.

Ilham Al Madfai Refutes Statement Made by Boycotters of OneVoice Palestine, Reaffirms Support for the Movement's Cause

October 18, 2007 - Renown Arab musician Ilham al Madfai today refuted the allegation made by a boycotting group that he had refused to join the concert "One Million Voices To End the Conflict" organized by Souhtuna Falestin/OneVoice Palestine in Jericho. An article by Najib Farraj had indicated that Madfai had "stressed his withdrawal from the festival because of the lack of clarity in the political slogans and objectives of this festival."

Madfai categorically denied stating anything of the sort. "I have been very clear to all those who have been calling that I regretted not being able to participate in OneVoice Palestine's effort to raise the voice of the Palestinian people for an end to the occupation, and for peace in the region."

Madfai added, "I call upon all boycott groups to stop threatening and intimidating artists and to respect the freedom of all."

Madfai explained he had received a lot of "threatening phone calls and warnings" from groups opposed to his visit but he cherished the day when all logistical and travel challenges, including procuring visas for al his crew and band, could be resolved to enable him "to sing with the Palestinian people and with the people of the world, a song of peace, justice, dignity, respect, and hope."

OneVoice Palestine, Souhtouna Falestin, is part of a movement of ordinary citizens that now surpasses 600,000 signatories not just in Palestine and the Arab world, but with citizens in solidarity across America, Europe and Israel, who agree on the imperative of ending the conflict and propelling and supporting their Heads of State to immediately commence negotiations, uninterrupted till the conclusion of a two state agreement.

The group has faced attacks from organizations that oppose a two-state-solution.

OneVoice Palestine's Honorary Board includes the Chief Islamic Justice, Sheikh Taysir al Tamimi, the son of President Abbas, Yasser Mahmoud Abbas, Saeb Erakat, and a dozen more Palestinian dignitaries, scholars, and religious leaders. It has trained 1,800 Palestinian youth leaders and has offices in Gaza and Ramallah.