The recent announcement by the British writer Ian McEwan that he will accept the Jerusalem Prize on 20 February 2011 during the Jerusalem Book Fair has disappointed many of his admirers around the world. In response to calls to reject the prize and refrain from participating in the book fair, he has said, "I think one should always make a distinction between a civil society and its government. It is the Jerusalem book fair, not the Israeli foreign ministry, which is making the award. I would urge people to make the distinction – it is about literature.” [1]

Solidarity statement from Tadamon! Montreal, January 2010:

As the world remembers the Israeli bombardment of Gaza at the turn of 2009, the Palestine solidarity movement continues to build the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israeli apartheid.

BDS France have issued a report following the recent trial of three BDS activists relating to demonstrations calling for a boycott of Israeli produce. French activists have been facing a state-sanctioned campaign of repression.

Full report:

We were over 300 people yesterday in front of the court in Perpignan in solidarity with Yasmina, Jeanne and Bernard, 3 activists of the group 66 "Peace and Justice in Palestine".

In the latest sign that BDS is penetrating the media mainstream, Reuters today published an article on the BDS movement.

In the latest sign that BDS is penetrating the media mainstream, Reuters today published an article on the BDS movement.

Earlier this week, American R&B/soul singer-songwriter Macy Gray began contemplating the call for boycott of Israeli apartheid, and wrote the following on her Facebook page: