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Israelis sue Kiwis over Lorde’s cancelled Tel Aviv gig in 1st case under anti-boycott law

31-1-2018 < RT 68 241 words
 

A Jewish rights group said it was taking to court two New Zealanders who urged their compatriot, pop singer Lorde, to call off her Israeli concerts. The lawsuit is said to test Israel’s controversial anti-boycott law.


Two New Zealand citizens face legal action in Israel after Shurat HaDin, a Tel Aviv-based group protecting Jewish rights worldwide, filed a lawsuit against them on Tuesday, claiming they convinced Lorde to cancel her show, scheduled for June 2018.


Justine Sachs, a Jew, and Nadia Abu-Shanab, a Palestinian, urged the singer to scrap her Israeli tour dates in an open letter published last December. The women cited the occupation of Palestinian land, as well as violations of basic human rights of Palestinians living in the occupied territories. “An economic, intellectual and artistic boycott is an effective way of speaking out against these crimes,” they wrote, adding such tactics were effective against apartheid in South Africa.


Responding to the letter, the 21-year-old singer tweeted: “Noted! Been speaking (with) many people about this and considering all options. Thank u for educating me i am learning all the time too.”


She later canceled her shows, saying she was “sorry” and hoped that “one day we can all dance.”




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