LORDE’S BOYCOTT SINGER PULLS OUT
THE SINGER-SONGWRITER Lorde has saddened her Israeli fans by pulling out of a concert in Tel Aviv next year.
The New Zealander was deluged by calls to pull out of the concert – due to take place in June – after announcing that she would be playing two dates in Russia and one in Israel.
There has been no similar decision to cancel the Russian performances.
The 21-year-old explained her “right decision” in a statement, which did not mention the BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement, although those involved claimed the cancellation as a victory.
The singer joined others including Roger Waters, Elvis Costello and Lauryn Hill in being part of a cultural boycott of Israel.
“I pride myself on being an informed young citizen, and I had done a lot of reading and sought a lot of opinions before deciding to book a show in Tel Aviv, but I’m not too proud to admit I didn’t make the right call on this one,” she wrote.
“Tel Aviv, it’s been a dream of mine to visit this beautiful part of the world for many years, and I’m truly sorry to reverse my commitment to come play for you. I hope one day we can all dance.”
Her decision came after The Spinoff ,a New Zealand website, printed an open letter on December 20, written by two activists, one Jewish (who described herself as “against the occupation of Palestine”) and one Palestinian.
They wrote: “Playing in Tel Aviv will be seen as giving support to the policies of the Israeli government, even if you make no comment on the political situation.”
Lorde referenced this in a tweet to her seven million followers, writing: “Noted! Been speaking w many people about this and considering all options. Thank u for educating me i am learning all the time too.”
The Spinoff has since published another letter, asking Lorde to reverse her decision.
Miri Regev, the Israeli culture minister, called on the singer to reinstate the concert.
“Lorde, I’m hoping you can be a ‘pure heroine’, like the title of your first album, be a heroine of pure culture, free from any foreign – and ridiculous – political considerations,” she said.
Richard Verber, senior vice-president of the Board of Deputies, said Lorde’s decision was “the wrong call, reeking of double standards”.
He said: “While, during this tour, she will still play Russia, despite notorious and flagrant abuses in that country’s domestic and international human rights record, she will boycott the world’s only Jewish state, which strenuously seeks to protect human rights even while defending its citizens from a decades-long onslaught of terrorism.
“Rather than using her music to bring together Israelis and Palestinians, Lorde has caved in to the bullying of a loud lobby backed by some of the world’s worst human rights abusers. She should reflect on this and reverse her decision in due course. When she does she will receive a warm welcome and no doubt understand the situation a lot better.”
There was also a strong reaction on social media, both for and against Lorde’s decision. Roseanne Barr called for a boycott of the singer herself, while Michael Dickson from Israel advocacy group Stand With Us said Lorde risked becoming “the poster child for antisemites and extremists who seek to boycott the world’s only Jewish country”.
BDS movement claimed decision as a victory