Pop singer Lorde was all set to perform in Israel, until a pair of BDS activists decided to show her the light:
Lorde may cancel Israel concert after backlash from fans https://t.co/waG5bgckvW pic.twitter.com/IYQ6tMpWeB
— The Times of Israel (@TimesofIsrael) December 22, 2017
More from the Times of Israel:
New Zealanders Nadia Abu-Shanab and Justine Sachs — the former Palestinian and the latter Jewish — wrote an open letter on Thursday on the website The Spinoff saying that Lorde’s scheduled performance in Israel “sends the wrong message.”
“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,” they wrote.
Here are some choice bits from Abu-Shanab and Sachs’ letter:
Today, millions of people stand opposed to the Israeli government’s policies of oppression, ethnic cleansing, human rights violations, occupation and apartheid. As part of this struggle, we believe that an economic, intellectual and artistic boycott is an effective way of speaking out against these crimes. This worked very effectively against apartheid in South Africa, and we hope it can work again.
Israel’s violations are so brutal, Nelson Mandela’s own grandson, Mandla Mandela, said: “The settlements I saw here [in the West Bank] reminded me of what we had suffered in South Africa because we also were surrounded by many settlements and were not allowed to move from one place to another freely. Palestinians are being subjected to the worst version of apartheid.” He added, “Israel is the worst apartheid regime” and called for the continued support of the boycott movement.
The weeks prior to your tour announcement have been a difficult time for Palestinians. Particularly after the Trump administration’s decision to move the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Since the 6th of December Israel has killed 11 Palestinians, injured 3000 and detained 350. The dead include Ibrahim Abu Thuraya, a 29-year-old wheelchair user and Palestinian activist. Ibrahim was killed during a protest. Ibrahim, a double amputee, lost his legs in 2008 during an Israeli airstrike. Now, the Israeli military has also taken his life. The detained includes, numerous women and children, such as 16-year old girl and activist Ahed Tamimi. Ahed is now in jail, she was arrested during an Israeli military dawn raid on her home.
Shockingly, Abu-Shanab and Sachs couldn’t find a place to mention the nature of the Palestinian “activism” Israel must regularly contend with. They do cite Lorde’s commitment to women’s empowerment and LGBT rights, but oddly enough, they forget to mention that Israel is the most (some might say only) women- and LGBT-friendly nation in the Middle East.
But no matter. Lorde is apparently taking their request seriously:
https://twitter.com/lorde/status/943677206558994432
Sure, if by “educating,” you mean “spewing dishonest BDS propaganda at,” then yeah. They’re educating you, Lorde.
https://twitter.com/DanielKohn99/status/944151275498741760
Get education @lorde, not propaganda. Come to the only country in the middle east where as a woman you are equal to men.
— Ezequiel (@hez_hez99) December 22, 2017
Disappointing that you should submit so easily to these anti Semites.
— p.fay (@whataphoney) December 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/claireyxwood/status/944114046898458624
If you want to be educated, please also learn about the history of the conflict and about the ACTUAL situation in Israel. Whats described in this letter is not an absolute truth. As people who been descriminated, you can be sure Israelis are very caring about human rights.
— ultraviolence (@morielpeleg) December 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/ben_g29t/status/944091179305627650
Please consider all sides. #BDS doesn't seek a peaceful resolution. They want to eliminate Israel. There is a lot of history.https://t.co/XhRDzK0OeZ
— Je suis Tory Scum (@JeSuisToryScum) December 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/Dan271085/status/944237222894718976
That is hardly the truth about the situation in Israel. Palestenians are not "detained" – it's simply because they have to cross a border to get into Israel. And what about all the terrostic acts (homicide, explosives etc.) They perform against Israelis?
— ultraviolence (@morielpeleg) December 22, 2017
There is no reason not to go to Israel. Those who want you to cancel are only interested in a world without Israel. Don’t let hatred win. Peace will come about through dialogue not blind hatred.
— Rob Berg (@RobBerg6) December 21, 2017
If u even consider canceling your show in the only democracy in the Middle East means u know nothing. Do your homework and don’t give in to propaganda by people who never even set foot in this country. Don’t give in to no more than terror online.
— Chen (@Cheni_chen) December 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/ThankJew_IL/status/944236590964137984
You simply dont understand anything and eat whatever they tell you
You are not being told that Israel is saving people from Syria and the territories. Come here and see who is evil and who is good
Lord, I'm from Israel and I want to buy a ticket. You dont know anything.— R O E I ?? (@Roei007) December 21, 2017
Talk to Paul McCartney, Thom Yorke or any of the many artists that have resisted the BDS movement, don't give in to this BDS rubbish, there is absolutely no reason not to play Tel Aviv.
— Ish. (@slingshot_the) December 21, 2017
Just remember, @lorde, there are two sides to every story. You might want to speak to @radiohead and @thomyorke before caving to those who seek to harm the only democracy in the Middle East.
— Adam Cailler ?️ (@acailler) December 22, 2017
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