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Lorde reconsidering Israel concert

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Fri, 22 Dec 2017, 5:30PM
The Kiwi singer is facing backlash over her concert announcement. (Photo / Getty)
The Kiwi singer is facing backlash over her concert announcement. (Photo / Getty)

Lorde reconsidering Israel concert

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Fri, 22 Dec 2017, 5:30PM

Lorde says she is "considering all options" in her first statement about her controversial concert in Israel.

The Kiwi pop star is scheduled to perform for the first time in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 5 as part of her Melodrama world tour.

But the concert has sparked criticism, with a spokesperson for the New Zealand Palestine Solidarity Network telling Newshub: "We think it's a very unwise thing for Lorde to have accepted.

"Israel should be boycotted until it complies with international law and the norms of human society," said Janfrie Wakim.

The criticism continued on The Spinoff with a story headlined: Dear Lorde, here's why we're urging you not to play Israel.

The column, written by Jewish New Zealander Justine Sachs and Palestinian New Zealander Nadia Abu-Shanab, outlined the history of conflict in the region and pleaded with the pop star not to perform there.

"Since 1967, Israel has militarily occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza strip. The occupation is considered an affront to international law and Israeli settlements in the area explicitly violate the Geneva Convention," they wrote.

"In this context, a 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. Such an effect cannot be undone by even the best intention and the best music."

It was that column that sparked Lorde's first comment on the controversy.

She wrote on Twitter that the feedback had been "noted" and she was "speaking with many people about this and considering all options".

She wrote: "Thank you for educating me - I am learning all the time too."

Alongside the Israel gig, Lorde also added two dates in Russia and one in London to her tour plans in 2018.

 

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