The ADC, Australia’s leading organisation fighting anti-Semitism and hatred in all its forms, has expressed its disappointment at the decision by NZ performer Lorde to succumb to calls by the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement and to cancel her Tel Aviv concert in June 2018. In a statement Lorde said that, “I’ve received an overwhelming number of messages & letters and have had a lot of discussions with people holding many views, and I think the right decision at this time is to cancel the show. I pride myself on being an informed young citizen, and I had done a lot of reading and sought a lot of opinions before deciding to book a show in Tel Aviv, but I’m not too proud to admit I didn’t make the right call on this one.”
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“No, Lorde, has not made the right call on this one. We are deeply disappointed that instead of courageously rejecting the attempt by BDS and anti-Israel activists to single out Israelis for discrimination and to smear and delegitimize the Jewish state, Lorde has succumbed to a relentless campaign that uses malicious double standards to isolate and malign Israel. Lorde’s only ‘crime’ was that she wanted to share her singing prowess with the people of Israel—Jews, Muslims and Christians— in the only democracy in the Mid-east where artistic expression is thriving. Now, shamefully, that will not happen because she has given in to an extreme and biased movement whose hostility against Israel and its citizens is tainted by strong anti-Semitic undertones. This decision will only undermine efforts to bring Israelis and Palestinians together and to advance dialogue. The only way to move towards a two state solution is through cooperation, not cultural and economic vandalism that ultimately seeks to destroy the Jewish state. We urge Lorde to reverse her decision, and to stand up to pure hatred by using her talents to promote peace and tolerance in the Middle-east. “
The Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading civil rights organization fighting racism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on 9272 5677.