In the below letter to Madonna, over 50 Palestinian women artists came together to ask her to “support us now in our quest for freedom, justice, and equality --  and the right to thrive as artists.”

Dear Madonna,

We are Palestinian women artists writing to you from occupied Palestine and the global diaspora with the hope that you will honor our call and not perform at Eurovision in Tel Aviv. The far-right Israeli government and its supporters would love nothing more than to use your iconic artistic achievements and global philanthropy to obscure its crimes against humanity, particularly now as it ushers in the most extremist, racist government in its 71-year history.

For decades, you have spoken your truth to power and have supported marginalized communities around the world, particularly women. We are asking you to support us now in our quest for freedom, justice, and equality --  and the right to thrive as artists. Skipping Eurovision would be yet another bold act of conscience, Madonna, resonating the world over and bringing us one step closer to freedom.

Palestinians, like all people, deserve basic human rights, to feel safe in our homes and on our land, and to pursue our dreams - as equal human beings. Without freedom and rights, we cannot build our lives, let alone express ourselves and reach our full potential as artists, as you so clearly have. Too many of us are caged-in without the ability to travel and share our work with audiences, locally or internationally.  

Israel controls nearly every aspect of Palestinian life, from whether we can get to work or school to whether we can live with our spouses or see our families. Israel takes our homes, our land, and our life-sustaining water. If we fall ill, we have to get permission from Israel’s military authorities to get to the hospital, permission which is all too often denied. Our children are snatched from our homes in the middle of the night, thrown in jail and subjected to abuse without warning and without reason. 500-700 Palestinian children are detained and prosecuted in Israeli military courts every single year. Can you imagine having to live this way?

We are denied the same rights as Jewish Israelis simply because we are a different religion - This is apartheid. Yet, with the rise of authoritarianism, as embodied in the Trump-Netanyahu alliance, we are finding hope in the many voices across the globe, rising in support of our rights and our freedom.

The boycott picket line worked in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, and it was a vital part of the US civil rights movement. We believe it will help us achieve our rights, too.  

When the walls come crashing down and freedom and justice finally ring, we invite you to come and share your music with all of us on this land.

Sincerely,

1. Leila Abdelrazaq, graphic novelist
2. Lama Abu Faris, dancer
3. Mira Abu Hilal, singer
4. Youmna Abu Hilal, singer
5. Walaa Abu Watfa, painter
6. Shahd Abusalama, dancer
7. Ibtisam Ahmad, singer
8. Manar Al Azza    , dancer
9. Lamees Amer, dancer    
10. Manal Awad, actor
11. Nahed Awwad, filmmaker
12. Hazar Azzeh, circus performer
13. Salma Ataya, dancer
14. Noora Baker, dancer, choreographer
15. Lama Barghouti, dancer
16. Nai Barghouti, singer, composer
17. Rana Bishara, artist
18. Farah Chamma, poet
19. Cherien Dabis, filmmaker
20. Maysa Daw, rapper, singer
21. Alaa Sameer Elkhateeb, artist
22. Jouline Faqes, dancer
23. Wafa Ghnaim, tatreez artist, author
24. Yasmin Hadi, dancer
25. Samia Halaby, artist, writer
26. Hena Haj Hasan, singer
27. Dima Hamdan, filmmaker
28. Zeina Hmouz, dancer
29. Riham Isaac, actor, director
30. Annemarie Jacir, filmmaker, poet
31. Salwa Jaradat, singer
32. Nivin Jayusi, singer, musician
33. Majdoleen Karakra, dancer
34. Maya Khaldi, singer
35. Muna Khalidi, filmmaker
36. Hannah Khalil, playwright
37. Sali Kharobi, dancer
38. Tala Khouri, musician
39. Dareen Mahajneh, dancer
40. Carol Mansour, filmmaker
41. Malak Mattar, painter
42. Jenin Merri, dancer
43. Yasmeen Mjalli, fashion designer
44. Ashtar Muallem, circus performer, dancer
45. Haneen Nazzal, graphic and animation artist
46. Mai Odeh, filmmaker, producer
47. Iman Oun, actor, director
48. Nayrouz Qarmout, writer
49. Anmar Rafeedie, dancer
50. Lure Sadeq, actor, musician, dancer
51. Farah Saleh, dancer, choreographer
52. Leila Sansour, filmmaker
53. Raneem Sarhan, dancer
54. Niveen Sawi, singer
55. Yasmin Sameer Shaladah, actor
56. Dareen Tatour, poet
57. Ghada Terawi, filmmaker
58. Renad Uri, dancer