Lauryn Hill Cancels Show in Israel

Lauryn Hill has canceled her scheduled show in Tel Aviv, Israel due to logistical issues and a social media campaign called for the boycott of her concert in Israel over the country's occupation of Palestine. According to reports from The Guardian, Rolling Stone and Billboard, the singer was scheduled to perform in the city on May 7 but due to the pressure of the social media campaign and her inability to also book a show in the Palestinian city of Ramallah due to logistical challenges, Hill cancelled the trip altogether.

"When deciding to play the region, my intention was to perform in both Tel Aviv and Ramallah," Hill said in a statement. "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 out live performance to this part of the world, but also to be a presence supporting justice and peace. It is very important to me that my presence or message not be misconstrued, or a source of alienation to either my Israeli or my 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. May healing, equanimity, and the openness necessary for lasting resolution and reconciliation come to this region and its people."

Hill joins artists like Elvis Costello, Stevie Wonder and the Pixies as acts to cancel Israel shows in the last few years.

Filed Under: Lauryn Hill

Categories: News