Lorde faced backlash at the end of 2017 over her decision to cancel her Israel concert. (Photo / Getty)

Activists face legal action over Lorde's cancelled Israel concert

Author: NZ Herald,
Publish Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2018, 5:41AM

Two New Zealanders are being sued for allegedly convincing Lorde to cancel her performance in Israel.

Jewish New Zealander Justine Sachs and Palestinian New Zealander Nadia Abu-Shanab wrote an open letter to the Kiwi pop sensation asking for her to boycott her Israeli tour dates.

The two argued the concert would show support for Israel's occupation of Palestine.

An Israeli legal rights group called Shurat HaDin said it is suing the two Kiwis.

Shurat HaDin said on Wednesday it filed the suit in a Jerusalem court on behalf of three Israeli concert ticket holders.

The lawsuit intends to give "real consequences to those who selectively target Israel and seek to impose an unjust and illegal boycott against the Jewish state", the group said.

The three Israelis were seeking about $13,000 in damages.

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Apparently some Israelis are trying to sue me. I've issued a response. pic.twitter.com/iTq82zCtIZ
— justine 🌹 (@precariatqueer) January 30, 2018

Sachs responded to the legal action on her Twitter account saying she had found out about it after an Associated Press reporter, based in Jerusalem, contacted her for comment.

"Israel the only "democracy" in the Middle East where New Zealanders get sued for exercising their freedom of speech.....in New Zealand," she tweeted on Wednesday.

Sachs told the Herald she had no further comment regarding the issue and added: "I've said all I wanted to say in the open letter".

In the open letter, the two urged Lorde to act " in the spirit of progressive New Zealanders who came before you and continue their legacy".

"Israel might seem like a world away from New Zealand but that shouldn't stop us from speaking out and being on the right side of history.

"Please join the artistic boycott of Israel, cancel your Israeli tour dates and make a stand."

The letter said a performance in Israel sent the wrong message and would be seen as giving support to the policies of the Israeli government.

Lorde announced late last year she was cancelling her planned June 2018 concert in Tel Aviv.

Israel the only "democracy" in the Middle East where New Zealanders get sued for exercising their freedom of speech.....in New Zealand
— justine 🌹 (@precariatqueer) January 30, 2018