Israel's Ambassador Requests Meeting With Lorde Following Axed Gig
Requested in a public letter.
Israel's ambassador for New Zealand has requested to meet with Lorde after the singer cancelled an upcoming show in Tel Aviv.
As ABC reports, the New Zealand artist called off the gig, scheduled for next June, following calls by pro-Palestinian activists for Lorde to ditch the concert as a protest against Israel's treatment of Palestinians.
Dr Itzhak Gerberg addressed the decision in an open letter to the 21-year-old pop star posted to Facebook on Wednesday.
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"Music is a wonderful language of tolerance and friendship, which brings people together," the post reads.
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"Your concert in Israel could have spread the message that solutions come from constructive engagement that leads to compromise and cooperation.
"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.
"I invite you to meet me in person to discuss Israel, its achievements and its role as the only democracy in the Middle East."
See the full letter below.
Lorde confirmed the Tel Aviv show would not be going ahead earlier this week, saying in a statement to The Jerusalem Post, "I pride myself on being an informed young citizen, and I had done a lot of reading and sought a lot of opinions before deciding to book a show in Tel Aviv, but I'm not too proud to admit I didn't make the right call on this one".
Other artists who have boycotted Israel include Roger Waters and Elvis Costello, however Australia's own Nick Cave went ahead with his own shows in Tel Aviv last month.
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
As Independent reports, the rock icon said he would perform the gigs, "to make a stand against those people that are trying to shut down musicians".
"So at the end of the day there are two reasons why I am here," Cave said.
"One is that I love Israel and I love Israeli people and two is to make a principled stand against anyone who wants to censor and silence musicians."
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