Lotfi Bouchnak articulates on Gaza

Tunisian singer Lotfi Bouchnak spoke to Arabstoday to express his views on the situation in Gaza. He said: “Palestine is our cause and will always remain our cause as long as the struggle persists. It’s in my songs. I would never hesitate to visit Palestine , whether it was for sport, culture, humanitarian reasons. As a human being and as a Muslim I cannot turn my back on Jerusalem or Palestine unless it is free.” He said: “I was invited to perform in Palestine and it was a chance for me to see firsthand the way Palestinian youth live. I wanted to convey that to the rest of the Arab world who have no idea of the struggle of the Palestinian people.” Bouchnak said what he sees in television is very different from the reality of the situation in Palestine. “I truly hope the situation is resolved and there is peace in Gaza,” he said. “I sing for people. I sing about human rights issues wherever they are, no matter what race or religion. I am human in the end and when I see there’s racism in North Africa, I aim to reflect that in my music. It’s not just about love songs.” He said if politics fails then art, theatre, music, film and poetry could be used to portray the messages to the rest of the world. Bouchnak said it could be a tool to fight the injustice against human rights. “Revolutions aren't a new thing. It’s been happening throughout history in various parts of the world. After every revolution, disputes are bound to arise, but I hope that they don’t last too long. People need to unite, especially among social classes. How long can we last in a state of chaos?” Bouchnak said Arab artists must visit Palestine as often as they can. “If you ever get the opportunity to visit Palestine, don’t hesitate to say yes. Jerusalem isn't just for the Palestinians; it is for every single Muslim, Christian and Jew. I am not against Judaism as a religion, but I am against Zionism and colonisation.” He said he supports women’s rights and women’s movements. “A woman is my mother, wife, sister, friend, and daughter.”