Lorde initially announced her concert in Tel Aviv on December 18th, but only two days later, following a storm of online criticism, Lorde announced that she was “learning all the time” and considering “all options.”
Noted! Been speaking w many people about this and considering all options. Thank u for educating me i am learning all the time too 🌸
— Lorde (@lorde) December 21, 2017
An open letter published in her native New Zealand drew particular attention. Signed by two young women, one Jewish and another Palestinian, the letter called on the singer to join an “artistic boycott” against Israel as a sign of opposition to allegedly oppressive Israeli policies.
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"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," write the authors of the letter published in The Spinoff.
Hey @lorde as a Jewish person committed to ending Israeli apartheid I feel strongly about your annouced Israeli tour dates.
— justine 🌹 (@precariatqueer) December 20, 2017
That's why me and a Palestinian friend Nadia have written you an open letter urging you to cancel your show. Please hear us out. https://t.co/YP7l3jDyVg
While some called on the star to join the artistic boycott, voices of disagreement were also raised. Another open letter, penned by
"The boycott movement only encourages intransigence. Isolating and demonizing Israel, while asking absolutely nothing of the Palestinian leadership is part of the wider tactic of avoiding talks, a pattern that any close observer of events over there should be able to pick up," the author Dane Giraud writes in his letter, also published by The Spinoff.
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While the debates in the opinion pages of newspapers and websites continue, it is being waged most heatedly in the realm of social media. With Lorde yet to make an official decision whether or not to go through with her Israeli concert, she is being pelted with both anger and hope that she would join the boycott against Israel.
#LordeDontGo#BDS
— Darin Morgans (@darin_morgans) December 21, 2017
Lorde, Palestinians have their land stolen & families endure daily ETHNIC CLEASING.
Please cancel performance.
The goal of the #IDF is #Genocide and #GreaterIsraelProject
I can hear the violence being perpetrated against Palestinian people by the Israeli settlers and state. #LordeDontGo pic.twitter.com/Uta40LuxZJ
— 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒆 (@BreeBarri) December 21, 2017
Dear @lorde…. this is what’s strong young woman looks like #LordeDontGo #FreeAhedTamimi pic.twitter.com/oNEsb2cKT5
— RACISM IS ARROGANT (@Dangerangel) December 21, 2017
Other Twitter users disagreed with those calling for a boycott of Israel, with some regarding the boycott as a form of anti-Semitism.
ahhhh a common trap y’all try to use. See this all the time. BDS is antisemitism. BDS does not seek peace, it simply seeks to take down Israel. It does not care about Palestinians, it uses them. Don’t fall for their scheme
— David (@MarryTheNight91) December 22, 2017
I am going to say that there is a difference between wanting to seek peace, and boycotting Israel all together. The boycotting part feels almost anti-Semitic in a way, safety is different. I don’t agree with what the Israeli government does but, they aren’t sponsoring you to go.
— Cara 🥀 (@Challahatyogirl) December 21, 2017
#Lorde will play in #israel to a very happy mixed crowd of #arabs & #jews enjoying music together & she will see for herself how amazing israel is..#saynotohate
— Lola❤🕎🐾🕊✡ (@lolasky2014) December 21, 2017
