Lorde, the New Zealand born pop singer best known for her 2013 international hit "Royals", has announced the cancellation of a concert in Tel Aviv which was scheduled to take place on June 5, 2018. The 21-year old singer-songwriter bowed to pressure after receiving an open letter from the BDS movement. Lorde thanked BDS for "educating her."
It is well worth noting that Lorde is scheduled to perform two concerts in Russia in May 2018. On May 29th, she performs in Saint Petersburg and two days later there will be a concert in Moscow.
One of the central arguments of BDS to Lorde was that her appearance "will be seen as giving support to the policies of the Israeli government, even if you make no comment on the political situation." Given the fact the Russian government murders journalists and its political opponents one could also argue that by performing in Russia could be perceived as supporting their government, even if she makes no comment on the political situation.
If Lorde is prepared to boycott Israel then why not boycott Russia whose human rights record is infinitely worse? Or does Lorde reserve her boycotts for Jews?
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