Nobel Peace Prize winner issues endorsing video for 2 Unite All benefit album for Gaza

LOS ANGELES - Dec. 9, 2014 - PRLog -- Archbishop Tutu states: “The 2 Unite All album urges the world community not to turn a blind eye to the horror in Palestine and Israel and to deliver urgent medical aid to the people of Gaza.”

Video Link:  http://youtu.be/FUj-gGqzvZg

The diverse group of famed musicians including Peter Gabriel, The Police’s Stewart Copeland, Rick Allen of Def Leppard, System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian and Grammy® Award-winning opera singer Sasha Cooke, were brought together for a first-of-its-kind benefit album to deliver urgent humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza by Project Peace On Earth (PPOE) (http://www.projectpeaceonearth.org/).  The album features 26 powerful musical tracks of healing and peace.

Peace Prize Winner Tutu further states “These musicians understand our human inner connectedness, that we are sisters and brothers in one family.”

In an earlier press release Peter Gabriel says of his decision to participate: “Although I am sure both the Palestinian and Israeli people would benefit enormously from a just and fair two-state agreement based around the ’67 borders, we have watched the Palestinians subjected to more and more suffering for far too long, especially in Gaza. Meanwhile their long held land is repeatedly stolen by force for illegal settlements. I am not and have never been anti-Israeli or anti-Semitic; I am anti-Israeli government policy, anti-injustice, anti-oppression and anti-occupation.

“There is clearly a growing movement around the world willing to speak out, including my own country's Parliament. I am happy to be one of these voices now asking the Israeli government, ‘Where is that two state solution you have so long said you wanted?’ and more simply, saying, ‘Enough.’”

Steve Robertson, PPOE founder and Executive Producer of the album, has conducted several awareness-raising peace projects in Palestine. He says that 2 Unite All (http://www.2uniteall.com/) was inspired by a report he saw about a young Palestinian girl who was in a coma from the bombing. “The doctors weren’t sure if she would survive, but said if she did regain consciousness, she would learn that her mother, father and sister had all been killed.”

Serj Tankian adds that “helping to rebuild the lives of Palestinians in Gaza is a necessary and noble worldwide humanitarian prerogative that we must not shy away from. It’s the least we can do for a people that have suffered under an occupation, embargo, and invasion.”

2 Unite All (http://www.2uniteall.com/) album proceeds will go directly to support the surgical and medical teams of Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) (http://www.pcrf.net/) and the vital psychological counseling supported by UNRWA USA (http://www.unrwausa.org/). PPOE will also lead a PTSD therapy effort with renowned psychotherapist Dr. Edward Tick and continue its peace initiatives in the Holy Land.

During the packed album release party Robertson reminded the audience the Palestine and Israeli conflict might well represent the geo-political and spiritual lynchpin for peace on the entire planet.  He suggested that if we could bring peace to this region of the world we could likely stage the possibility for world peace.

The release party featured performance by several of the artists of the album which included David Arkenstone and Charlee Brooks;  Fritz Heede;  Hagai Desraeli and Richard Fultineer of the group Maetar; Hani Naser, Richard Horowitz and Sussan Deyhim.  Ricky Kej, 2 Unite All album producer was not able to make the trip to Los Angeles from India.  His song “Mahatma” from his recent Grammy Nominated album “Winds of Samsara” was featured in the 26 song benefit compilation.

Reflecting on the Middle East crisis and later during the evening of he release party, Robertson stated “that the album was an evergreen product to support the cause of freedom in Palestine and the cause of helping children and families who desperately require assistance.  “These people,” he emphatically stated “are literally living on dirt and this is not acceptable…it is not acceptable for another country to build a prison wall around another country and we know, we know in our hearts that the Israeli people are beautiful God-sends, that they are loving and kind and caring people.  They deserve our love as well and that’s why,” as Robertson pointed to the promotional flyer for the album “this says ‘2 Unite All’.”

Prior quoted Steward Copeland said “Our music may not be able to rebuild homes nor bring back victims of violence, but at least it can soften hearts.  Hard hearts allow violence in the Holy Land and softening up allows persuasion. Even the most flinty realpolitik analysis shows that ‘Kumbaya’ is more credible than ‘They Must Go.’”

Rick Allen of Def Leppard also prior quoted said, “Our world is finally focusing on resolving this conflict. Too many lives have been lost and too many innocent children and families remain perilously injured.” Lauren Monroe, Allen’s wife and songwriting partner, added, “The beautiful people of Palestine require the world's immediate medical support. Contributing a song to help bring necessary healing and resources to Gaza was the least Rick and I could do.” Allen concludes, “I'm encouraging all Def Leppard fans to buy a copy of 2 Unite All (http://www.2uniteall.com/) and support this cause.”

The 2 Unite All (http://www.2uniteall.com/) album, which features cover art from renowned illustrator Greg Spalenka and was made possible with the assistance of TuneCore distribution, is available for purchase at: www.2UniteAll.com.

Robertson concluded his interview by stating: "If the world wants prove its support for the people of Palestine ... buying this album of great music makes this point and will benefit those who require loving care and medical services."

The album, released on October 30^th and available on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/album/2-unite-all/id935062995), Amazon and other online music stores, features 26 powerful musical tracks from:

Peter Gabriel (Six-time Grammy® Winner)
Stewart Copeland (The Police) and Serj Tankian (System of a Down), with Omar Fadel
Rick Allen of Def Leppard, with songwriter Lauren Monroe
Pearl Thompson (The Cure), with Finbar O'Hanlon
Sasha Cooke (Grammy® Winner, Opera)
Gary Nicholson (Grammy® Winner, Country)
Joanne Shenandoah (Grammy® Winner, Native American) with Leah and Diane
Richard Gannaway, Jay Oliver & Miriam Stockley of AOMusic
David Arkenstone and Charlee Brooks
Rickie Byars Beckwith
Christoph Bull
Beth Nielsen Chapman
Sussan Deyhim and Richard Horowitz
The GuruGanesha Band
Lili Haydn
Fritz Heede
Ricky Kej and Wouter Kellerman
Fox Lima of the Enigma MMX Social Media Song
Ray Lynch
Maetar with Itai and Hagai Disraeli
Gary Malkin with Thich Nhat Hanh and Phap Niem
Hani Naser Band
Elijah Ray and the Band of Light
Riddle the Sphinx with Christiane Cargill Kinney, Burgundy Morgan, Christo Pellani
SEAY
Kenji Williams of Bella Gaia

To request an interview with album producers or musicians, or for more information, please contact Steve Robertson at 2UniteAll@gmail.com or call 310.871.2965