A U.S. soul singer has asked her fans on Facebook whether she should cancel planned concerts in Tel Aviv because of the “disgusting” way the Israeli state treats Palestinians. Then she decided to perform there anyway.
International artists, entertainers and academics are under increasing pressure to boycott Israel because of Israeli actions during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Macy Gray took the unusual step of asking Facebook followers what to do, in a posting that went up Monday.
“I’m getting alot [sic] of letters from activists urging/begging me to boycott by NOT performing in protest of Apartheid against the Palestinians,” she wrote.
“What the Israeli government is doing to the Palestinians is disgusting, but I wana go. I gotta lotta fans there I dont [sic] want to cancel on and I dont [sic] know how my NOT going changes anything. What do you think? Stay or go?”
After receiving almost 4,000 often impassioned messages in just four days, Gray has announced via Twitter that she would indeed sing in Tel Aviv next month. “Dear Israel fans. Me and the band will be there in 20 days. Can’t wait. See you then. Peace,” she tweeted.
Israelis and Palestinians have been locked in conflict for six decades, with U.S.-led initiatives to bring about a negotiated settlement making little head way over the years
Singer-songwriter Elvis Costello cancelled his planned concerts in Israel last summer because of what he called the “grave and complex” sensitivities.
Earlier this month, French singer Vanessa Paradis, who is married to actor Johnny Depp, cancelled a Feb. 10 concert in Israel. She said it clashed with an important meeting, but the Israeli media have speculated that is was a political decision.
