This item is a few days old, but I wanted to comment on the way Richard Gere has allowed his name and image to be used in connection with a hateful message and some decidedly illiberal characters, whether he intended to or not. Gere has made a Public Service Announcement for Palestinians claiming "I am speaking for the entire world", after which he encouraged all Palestinians to get out and vote in the coming election.
It's an innocuous message in itself, and one that a majority of "the entire world" might endorse; the hope that all Palestinians will participate in their self-government by voting, (even though the process resembles a Saddam-like "done-deal" weeks beforehand). The problem is with Gere's co-stars in the PSA, Sheik Taissir Tamimi, the head of the Islamic court in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Atallah Hanna, the spokesman of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem.
Giving him the benefit of the doubt, we could grant that maybe Gere wasn't aware that his segment of the PSA, taped separately in the U.S., was going to be used in conjunction with the appearances by two men who are on record with statements like these:
Atallah Hanna - (on suicide bombers) "These martyrdom freedom fighters are the heroes of the people and we are proud of them. We categorically reject suspicious attempts to cast suspicion on their deeds. They are not suicidal, as some are claiming. Nor are they terrorists, as others are claiming. They are resisting the occupation." According to the report, he also called for the liberation of Palestine "from the [Mediterranean] sea to the [Jordan] river."Sheik Taissir Tamimi - "the Jews are destined to be persecuted, humiliated and tortured forever,and it is a Muslim duty to see to it that they reap their due. No petty arguments must be allowed to divide us. Where Hitler failed, we must suceed."
If he didn't know he'd be appearing with these characters, he should say so. To Gere's credit, he has traveled several times to the region, and seems well intended, although he has demonstrated where his primary sympathies lie . But if he's a disinterested observer promoting only peace, this project is a poor choice of vehicle for making his point.
Had it not been for his pompous and presumptuous remark about speaking for all mankind, his connection to a project involving these bigots might have slipped under the media radar. I mean, that's the quote that got people riled up. Instead of declining comment, Gere should make a statement disassociating himself from people calling for the liquidation of the Jews. At least if it's really peace that he wants.
Posted by dan at January 7, 2005 02:51 PM