McCartney wearing pin in Tel Aviv concert
Photo: Ofir Duek
McCartney pledges support to OneVoice Movement
Former Beatle joins peace group aimed at empowering Israeli, Palestinian moderates. McCartney made honorary member of International Board of Advisors, says 'happy to lend my support to cause of peace'
Another celebrity joined the list of international artists seeking to empower the moderate voices on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The international OneVoice Movement, that has been operating for the past seven years in Israel, the Palestinian Authority and around the world, announced on Monday that former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has officially joined its honorary International Board of Advisors.
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McCartney's first meeting with the group's representatives took place during his last visit to Israel in September, 2008. After the meeting, McCartney and his band members appeared in his Tel Aviv concert at Park HaYarkon, wearing OneVoice pins in a show of support for the movement and the ideas it promotes.
On Monday, McCartney said in an official press release, "Having met representatives of the association OneVoice, I was impressed, first of all, by the fact that half of the organization is Palestinian and half is Israeli. Almost 650,000 people have signed on to their manifesto, supporting their steadfast work to bring about a negotiated solution, and peace in the region."
He went on to say of OneVoice: "They told me that the vast majority of people in both societies are moderates and simply want a better life for their families and themselves. This gave me great hope that, one day, people like them will help to bring about a peaceful resolution to the troubles in the area. I am, therefore, happy to lend my support in this way to the cause of peace."
McCartney with OneVoice Israel head Irit Admoni Perlman (Photo: Rotem Yosef)
OneVoice Israel Chairwoman Irit Admoni Perlman said in response to the new addition, "We are pleased and proud that Sir Paul McCartney has decided to lend us his support. In a time where chances of reaching a settlement and ending the conflict seem slim, the support of one of the people who have changed the face of culture around the world gives us the strength and motivation to go on.
"Especially in these days, each and every one of us has a twofold obligation – to work harder and to act with more determination to empower the moderates on both sides and promote dialogue and agreements. The alternative to this is the continuation of the conflict, more victims and the creation of an irreversible reality in the area."
Other OneVoice International Board of Advisors members include celebrities such as actors Danny DeVito, Jason Alexander, and Natalie Portman, boxer Muhammad Ali, and director Davis Guggenheim.
