Friends of Slingshot Hip-Hop
From Ora Wise
We're at Sundance y'all! Thanks in large part to so many of you and your support, enthusiasm, and generosity.
And we're making history.... 5 of the 8 rappers who are a part of Slingshot are arriving today in Utah to perform for the first time all together...we are filled with hope as well as anger.
We're angry because Mahmoud Shalaabi, a rapper from Akka (in Palestine 48), has been denied a visa after spending weeks jumping through hoops, gathering documents, and paying tons of his own money for application fees.
The visa was denied because they claim another person with his name is on their wanted list. They claim it will be cleared up in one month.
However, this is exactly what they did to Mahmoud 2 years ago when he was denied a visa for the same ridiculous reason. And they told him that it would be cleared up within a month then!
We were all preparing to have Mahmoud here with us to celebrate his own life and work and perform and speak at the premiere of Slingshot Hip Hop. We wanted HIM to tell his OWN story here.
But we can't give up- that's what Israel wants- they want Mahmoud to feel powerless and trapped and give up.
And we promised Mahmoud that we would get everyone we know to call and email the embassy all day today and every day until they grant him a visa!
So friends- please, please call and email the numbers below off the hook!
Demand that Mahmoud Shalaabi, an important Palestinian artist with Israeli citizenship, be granted a visa immediately so he can attend the Sundance Film Festival.
CALL-
Nonimmigrant Visa Unit in Tel Aviv:
(from the U.S) 011-972-3519-7617
EMAIL-
Nivtelaviv@state.gov
If you email, cc " support@slingshothiphop.com" and if you call, please send an email saying you called to " support@slingshothiphop.com " so we can track the support we're getting to show the Israeli authorities (and to show Mahmoud he's not alone!!!)
12 comments:
I don't understand fully- he has an Israeli passport, so is the problem the Americans? Why would he need an Israeli visa?
its with the americans...israeli citizens need visas to visit the US
americans or israelis are holding this up?
mohammed,
its with the americans...israeli citizens need visas to visit the US
And it's a two-way street. What I'm quoting below is just for entry to Israel proper.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1064.html
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: The general entry and exit requirements for Americans traveling to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza are listed below. American citizens may be subject to special restrictions. American citizens are advised to read all sections of this sheet very carefully for special regulations that may affect their travel.
U.S. citizens are advised that all persons applying for entry to Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza are subject to security and criminal screening by the Government of Israel, and may be denied entry or exit without explanation.
Israel: A passport valid for six months beyond duration of stay, an onward or return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds are required for entry. A no-charge, three-month visa may be issued upon arrival and may be renewed. Travelers carrying official or diplomatic U.S. passports must obtain visas from an Israeli embassy or consulate prior to arrival in Israel. Anyone who has been refused entry, experienced difficulties with his/her status during a previous visit, overstayed the authorized duration of a previous visit, or otherwise violated the terms of their admission to Israel should consult the Israeli Embassy or nearest Israeli Consulate before attempting to return to Israel. Anyone seeking returning resident status must obtain permission from Israeli authorities before traveling. The Government of Israel at times has declined to admit American citizens wishing to visit or travel to the West Bank. Persons denied entry into Israel who seek immigration court hearings to contest such denials may be detained for prolonged periods while awaiting a hearing.
Yeah Israel is liable to send you back for no reason at the border, but unlike the US, you don't need a visa prior to flying out.
anyway lets do what we can to help this dude-the only official reason he is being denied is because of his name.
Mohammad you have the patience of a saint sometimes. Masha' allah.
PC.... seriously, he wants his friend to be with him, he has put a lot of time and effort into trying to comply, and he has been denied not once but twice because of HIS NAME, do you have to be get all defensive about it?
Safiyyah, I wasn't being defensive. I wasn't aware Israelis needed a visa to visit the US, so I checked the US state Department to see what Israel's policy for travel was, because these things tend to be reciprocal. I'm a bit taken aback by some of Israel's policies for American citizens, to be honest.
Mohammad, I'd rather have to get a visa before traveling than spend thousands of dollars for a trip, and then find out I wasn't going to be allowed entry until after I got there, myself. I suppose any country can technically deny somebody entry, even when they have a visa, but the Israelis seem to actually do it with some frequency.
lool thanks Saffiyah, I try. Particularly with PC-I think he and the Kabobers got off on the wrong foot, so I'm trying to be friendly (seriously Craig).
Anyway, I think we all would rather have to get a visa instead of wasting time, money (and getting humiliated). I wasn't criticizing the US policy, just the fact that this dude is being denied entry for absolutely no reason at all.
Mohammed, with all respect and salutations, fuck PC, he's a crachead racist prick. Shout out to Khaled B.
Thanks, mohammad.
If "pali-american" is the person I suspect, she's the one who exceeded my tolerance-threshold for Palestinian propaganda in the first place, a couple of years ago.
Let the rapper go!!!
Once again Israel shows that it is racist to the bones. I mean israel both its people and government(s). You jews will never learn.
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