18 October 2007 - The show must go on

Today was an international day of demonstrations of support for the two-state solution, organized in part by , a global network of activists that is trying to unite moderates against Israeli and Palestinian extremists. One of the featured events was to have been a pair of concerts tonight by Canadian rocker Bryan Adams in the Palestinian city of Jericho and the Israeli metropolis of Tel Aviv.

Violent extremists being what they are, the Jericho concert soon received serious threats and was canceled. The organizers then decided to cancel the Tel Aviv concert, too, in “solidarity.” I have to ask: “solidarity” with what? I understand that it might seem unfair play a peace concert in Israel and not in the Palestinian territories, but the extremists have been double the victory they hoped for.

Terrorism and the radical ideologies that accompany it can only be overcome when moderates are brave enough to stand up to it. Going through with the Tel Aviv concert would have sent a message to Palestinians that it is ultimately up to them to get rid of the violent extremism in their midst. “The show must go on” is the cardinal