New York Human Rights Carolers Debut Songs Protesting Lev Leviev’s Israeli Settlements
New York, NY - Fifty New York human rights carolers sang parodies of holiday tunes today in front of LEVIEV New York to protest Israeli diamond mogul Lev Leviev's destruction of communities in Palestine, Angola and in New York City. This was the fourth protest at Leviev's Madison Avenue jewelry store since its gala opening on November 13.
A diverse group of enthusiastic participants sang loud and creative versions of 11 traditional holiday songs. Carolers serenaded upscale Madison Avenue shoppers and New York City police with the debut performance of "I Made a Little Settlement" to the tune of "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel":
"Apartments for Jews only, Discrimination, sure!
He thinks Palestine's the problem, and Apartheid is the cure!"
"Oh boycott boycott boycott, Don't buy Leviev today
Funds crime with all that profit, Who needs diamonds anyway?"
Leviev's companies are currently involved in building homes in at least four Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. All Israeli settlements violate international law according to a broad international consensus. Two weeks ago, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice specifically criticized Israel's plans for construction in Har Homa, one settlement where a Leviev company is contracted to build. In Angola where he mines many of his diamonds, a security firm working for Leviev was accused of physically abusing workers. In New York City, his developments with his ex-partner Shaya Boymelgreen have come under attack from the community group ACORN and the Laborers' Union.
Riham Barghouti of Adalah-NY commented, "Because Leviev has made it impossible for many Palestinians to live normal lives and to celebrate the holidays of Eid Al Adha and Christmas this month, we will spoil his holidays and continue our campaign against his human rights abuses." The protest closed with a rousing song to the tune of "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer":
"Then one cold November eve, Leviev came to town
He put a store here in New York, But we will shut him down!"
"Leviev your crimes are showing, Your deeds are getting hard to hide
No matter what you call it, We say NO to apartheid!"
In response to popular demand after today's caroling debut, the Palestine Liberation Singing Troupe is considering an encore Madison Avenue performance of their hit holiday songs on Saturday, Dec. 29.
For PDF of Arabic-language press release, click here.
For some previous media coverage of this campaign see:
-Diamond Billionaire Takes New York, Marissa Brostoff, The Forward, Nov. 14, 2007, http://www.forward.com/articles/12030/
-Her Best Friends, Paula Froelich, The New York Post, Nov. 17, 2007, http://www.nypost.com/seven/11172007/gossip/pagesix/her_best_friends_643816.htm
-Protests Continue at Leviev's New Store, National Jeweler Network, Nov. 21, 2007, http://www.nationaljewelernetwork.com/njn/content_display/diamonds/e3iebeeee1ed78e9c1cd1aa886183e96c25
-Activist Group Urges Susan Sarandon to Boycott Leviev, IDEX Online, Israel, Dec. 12, 2007; http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullNews.asp?id=29043