Lauryn Hill Cancels her Concert in Israel

The cancellation supposedly came after a social media campaign, demanding the singer to boycott her Israel tour

Lauryn Hill has announced to cancel her Israel tour which was scheduled to start on Thursday at Rishon Lezion. The decision was presumably taken under the immense pressure created by the anti-Israel activists through a strong social media campaign, demanding the singer to boycott her concert in Israel over its occupation on Palestinian territories. 

However, nothing like that was mentioned by the Lauryn herself in her detailed message, posted on her website on Monday. Lauryn explained she wanted to have two shows in the region, one in Tel Aviv as per scheduled and the other in Ramallah, located in the Central West Bank of Jerusalem but “it proved to be a challenge” logistically. 

In the statement, she addresses her friends and fans in Israel.

“When deciding to play the region, my intention was to perform both Tel Aviv and Ramallah, setting up a performance in the Palestinian Territory, at the same time as our show in Israel, proved to be a challenge. I’ve wanted very much to bring our live performance to this part of the world, but also to be a presence supporting justice and peace,” writes Lauryn Hill, adding, “It is very important to me that my presence or message not be misconstrued, or a source of alienation to either my Israeli or Palestinian fans. For this reason, we have decided to cancel the upcoming performance in Israel, and seek a different strategy to bring my music to ALL of my fans in the region. /4/healing , equanimity, and the openness necessary for lasting resolution and reconciliation come to this region and its people.” 

With this announcement, Hill now joins Elvis Costello, Gil Scott-Heron and Talib Kweli who announced to cancel their already booked shows in Israel. 

This cancellation is also taken as a victory for those who want cultural boycott of Israel unit it ends its occupation and this concept has received support of many artists as well including Roger Walters and Brian Eno. However, artists like Paul McCartney and Elton John have performed in Israel in the past.