Lana Del Rey defends Israel concert
Lana Del Rey has defended her decision to perform at Israel’s inaugural Meteor Festival on September 7.
After facing backlash over the announcement, the singer has taken to Twitter to address the criticism, saying the performance is “not a political statement”.
“I believe music is universal and should be used to bring us together. We signed on to the show [with] the intention that it would be performed for the kids there and my plan was for it to be done [with] a loving energy w a thematic emphasis on peace. If you don’t agree with it I get it. I see both sides,” she wrote.
“I would like to remind you that performing in Tel Aviv is not a political statement or a commitment to the politics there just as singing here in California doesn’t mean my views are in alignment w my current governments opinions or sometimes inhuman actions.
“(I’m not in anyway likening the gravity of certain travesties that have occurred in Israel to the current hardships we’re facing here). I’m just stating that I’m a simple singer, I’m doing my best to navigate the waters of the constant tumultuous hardships in the war-torn countries all over the world that I travel through monthly.”
Del Rey is the only headliner of Meteor Festival to address the controversy so far.
In December 2017, Lorde cancelled her scheduled June concert in Tel Aviv after receiving criticism from activists supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign.