Lana Del Rey has cancelled her show at an Israeli music festival after receiving backlash from Palestinian boycott activists.
Del Rey was slated to headline the annual Meteor Festival in northern Israel next week. However, the star received backlash from the BDS (Boycott, Development, and Sanctions) movement. BDS has been urging artists to cancel concerts in Israel in protest of the country’s treatment of Palestine. Earlier this month, Del Rey noted that her shows weren’t meant to be political.
“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 with my current government’s opinions or sometimes inhuman actions. Or that I condone my own president who openly mocks disabled people at rallies,” she said.
This past Friday however, she made the decision to cancel her performance until she can visit both Israel and Palestine.
“It’s important for me to perform in both Palestine and Israel and treat all my fans equally,” she said in a note posted on social media. “Unfortunately it hasn’t been possible to line up both visits with such short notice and therefore I’m postponing my appearance at the Meteor Festival until a time when I can schedule visits for both my Israeli and Palestinian fans, as well as hopefully other countries in the region.”
While some support her decision to cancel the show – including BDS supporters like Roger Waters, Brian Eno, Kathleen Hanna, Mark Ruffalo, and Angela Davis – others were not happy with the outcome. Her Israeli fans shamed the singer on Twitter.
much respect, well done.
Only by taking actions like this will make the change.— Tala (@iamtalayunis) September 1, 2018
She cares more about the suffering of oppressed people than the feelings of selfish fans who care more about a concert than human rights. Palestinians r barely able 2 receive aid from the blockade. She doesnt support the ILLEGAL occupation & genocide of Palestine & neither do we!
— Scotty (@BBeameupScotty) September 2, 2018
Well done Lana. Every voice calling for justice and human dignity in the Middle-East is so much needed.
— bennjamin (@bennjmin) September 1, 2018
Hypocrite. “I’d like to treat all my fans equally” yet you disrespect your israeli fans. 2nd time you cancel your show in here. I understand you’ve been pressured by BDS (& have received death threats), but this is completely unprofessional. Drama queen, I guess. Music==Politics?
— Noy (@NoyPerel) September 2, 2018
What a shame Lana Del Ray. Using poor excuses for not performing in Israel. While performing in Turkey or Russia which is “well known” in keeping humans rights…..@LanaDelRey What a shame and hypocritical.
— Forrest (@Forrest59270948) September 1, 2018
Sorry, but pretty lame excuse @LanaDelRey!
You said you were above politics, yet you succumbed to it.
You said you believed in power of music for good, yet you caved to the haters. You are no better than them!
And to post on Shabbat when many in Israel won’t see!
Shame on u!
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) August 31, 2018
Shlohmo has also cancelled his appearance at the festival. These cancellations follow Lorde’s decision to cancel a gig in Tel Aviv earlier this year. Artists like Nick Cave and Radiohead, on the other hand, have resisted the pressure from BDS activists to cancel shows.
Last Updated on September 4, 2018
