A couple of days ago we reported on the controversy that had erupted following Lorde’s decision to tour Israel next year. Now, following her cancellation of the gig, Israel’s ambassador has requested a meeting with the Kiwi singer to try and convince her otherwise.
Last week, it was announced that Lorde was set to play a show in Tel Aviv, Israel in June of next year. However, following an open letter to the singer which asked her to reconsider her decision, Lorde announced that she was cancelling her scheduled performance.
“I pride myself on being an informed young citizen,” Lorde wrote in a statement that has been shared on Twitter. “And I have done a lot of reading and sought a lot of opinions before deciding to book a show in Tel Aviv, but I’m not proud to admit I didn’t make the right call on this one.”
Here is @Lorde‘s statement on the cancellation of her Tel Aviv show, via Israeli PR for the concert. pic.twitter.com/Ph0uGHRjCV
— Amy Spiro (@AmySpiro) December 24, 2017
Now, Itzhak Gerberg, Israel’s ambassador to New Zealand, has shared a public appeal for Lorde to meet with him in order to discuss a possible compromise.
“It is regrettable that you have cancelled your concert in Tel Aviv and have disappointed all your fans in Israel,” the statement reads. “Music is a wonderful language of tolerance and friendship, which brings people together.”
“Your concert in Israel could have spread the message that solutions come from constructive engagement that leads to compromise and cooperation,” the statement continues. “Music should unite not divide and your performance in Israel could have contributed to the spirit of hope and peace in the Middle East.”
“Boycott and hate on the other hand, represents hostility and intolerance and I was sorry to see that you have succumbed to the supporters of a small fanatic group of BDS (Boycott, Divest and Sanction) movement that denies the right of the State of Israel to exist and spreads hatred and animosity,” it continued.
“I invite you to meet me in person to discuss Israel, its achievements and its role as the only democracy in the Middle East.”
Lorde’s initial decision to tour the country was met with the same resistance by pro-Palestinian activists as previous concerts by artists such as Nick Cave, Radiohead, and the Pixies have received. These activists have made the appeal for artists to avoid touring in Israel as a way to protest against the country’s treatment of Palestinians.
Lorde’s management is yet to respond to the appeal, but we’re interested to see how this story develops.
Check out Lorde’s ‘Homemade Dynamite’:
