Lana Del Rey Defends Decision To Play Israel - Noise11.com
Lana Del Rey image photo noise11

Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey Defends Decision To Play Israel

by Music-News.com on August 21, 2018

in News

Lana Del Rey has defended her decision to defy those calling for a boycott of Israel by playing at the country’s Meteor Festival.

Lana Del Rey, 33, announced she would be appearing at the event in Tel Aviv next month (Sep18), spurring activists supportive of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement – who campaign for firms and individuals to cut economic and cultural ties with Israel due to its government’s alleged human rights violations in its treatment of Palestinians – to urge her to cancel the booking.

In a statement posted to Twitter, the defiant star addressed criticism from fans and activists – writing that her gig was not a “political statement” and that she hoped to promote peace and “loving energy” during her performance.

Continuing in her defence, Lana compared performing in Tel Aviv while disagreeing with the Israeli government’s policies to playing a gig in the U.S. – even though she is a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump.

“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 w(ith) my current governments opinions or sometimes inhuman actions,” she added, before stating that she was not “likening the gravity” of “certain travesties” occurring in Israel to events in the U.S.

Activists from the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), a leading BDS group, asked the Young and Beautiful singer to withdraw from the event.

“We urge you to reconsider,” they wrote in tweet to the star. “We doubt that you would have played in apartheid South Africa; likewise, artists refuse to play in apartheid Israel. Please respect our nonviolent picket line, and cancel your Meteor performance.

Although the BDS campaign is more than a decade old it has gained greater prominence in recent years due to support from the likes of Pink Floyd star Roger Waters and Brian Eno – who have denounced their fellow artists for playing gigs in Israel.

The Meteor festival runs from 6 to 8 September – with Kamasi Washington, Flying Lotus, Pusha T and Soulwax also joining Lana on the bill.

music-news.com

For news as it happens follow Noise11 on Facebook

Noise11.com

Listen to the Noise11 Music News channel now at iHeartRadio

Related Posts

Beyonce Cowboy Carter
It Looks Like Beyoncé Has Covered Dolly Parton

Beyoncé has released a tracklisting for her upcoming album ‘Cowboy Carter'.

1 day ago
50 Cent photo by Ros O'Gorman
50 Cent Confirms Diddy Doco

50 Cent has confirmed he will release a documentary detailing the sexual assault allegations against Diddy.

2 days ago
Incubus photo by Shawn Hanna supplied
Brandon Boyd Says Incubus Were Three Albums Deep When They Found Their Sound

Incubus released their first album ‘Fungus Amongus’ in 1995 and second ‘S.C.I.E.N.C.E.’ in 1997. Both stiffed. At that point it looked like it wasn’t going to happen for the band … but then it did. Brandon Boyd

2 days ago
Taylor Swift at the MCG Melbourne 16 February 2024 Photo Credit TAS Rights Management
Taylor Swift’s Father Will Not Be Charged By Australian Police

Australian police will not be pursuing charges against Taylor Swift's father Scott Swift over an alleged clash with a photographer in Sydney.

3 days ago
Jason Singh
Jason Singh Wins Two Year Taxiride Trade Mark Battle Against Fellow Band Members

Taxiride co-founder Jason Singh has won a two-year legal battle against fellow bandmates Tim Watson and Tim Wild over the Taxiride Trade Mark.

3 days ago
Bjorn Again To Head Back To The UK

ABBA tribute show Björn Again is heading to Hampton Court Palace Festival on Saturday 15 June.

4 days ago
The Cat Empire photo supplied by MSO
The Cat Empire To Perform Melbourne and Sydney Orchestra Shows

The Cat Empire will perform with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in August and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in September.

4 days ago