Thursday, March 2, 2006
That didn't take long. Richard Rogers, the architect responsible for holding a meeting to explore an anti-Israel boycott and the blacklisting architects who don't comply has issued a statement backing down from such sentiments following the possibility that he might not get the contract for the $1.7 billion redesign of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. You can count me among those who think he statement is too clever by half and not nearly sufficient, as there's nothing to stop him from going back and pursuing his efforts once the job is complete.
NY Sun: Javits Architect Cuts His Link To Group Pushing Israel Boycott
In a terse statement issued yesterday, Richard Rogers said, "My convictions on peace and justice have always been clear. But in view of the published aims of Architects and Planners for Justice in Palestine, and particularly in view of the suggested boycott by some members, I am dissociating myself from this organization."
The London headquarters of Lord Rogers's architectural firm hosted the group's inaugural meeting on February 2, and according to a report last month in the London Independent hosted two subsequent meetings. Until yesterday, the renowned architect said through spokespeople that he was withholding for now his support for the boycott.
The organization Lord Rogers hosted, Architects and Planners for Justice in Palestine, issued a statement last month comparing the activities of building firms in the West Bank to those construction companies that helped Apartheid South Africa...
...observers in New York were less impressed with the architect's contrition. Rep. Anthony Weiner, a Democrat of New York who on Tuesday suggested the development corporation find another architect for the Javits Center job, said he was still uneasy with Lord Rogers's involvement in the project.
"This is someone who hosts a meeting of an organization that takes a view that I find abhorrent, and might be in violation of U.S. anti-boycott laws. Then when it's reported in the Sun, in a statement that seems too clever by half, he says he disassociates himself from the organization," the congressman said. "I am uneasy about his participation in this deal. I would be eager to hear him clarify what some of his earlier statements have meant."
Last month Lord Rogers was quoted in the Israeli newspaper, Ha'aretz, as saying he supported "targeted activities" against the Jewish state.
The executive director of the Anti-Defamation League had similar concerns."I welcome that statement, there is something else I would like to hear him say, though," Abraham Foxman said yesterday.
"I would like to hear Mr. Rogers add one sentence, not only does he disassociate himself form this organization, but he disassociates himself from using creativity, art and architecture as a weapon for people's views."...
