Supporters of the cultural boycott of the State of Israel have targeted Canadian singer Alanis Morissette over her scheduled performance in the Jewish state, calling on her to “shun Tel Aviv.”
A seven-time Grammy winner, Morissette is set to give a concert in Tel Aviv on Monday, for the first time since she performed in Israel since 2000, The Jewish Chronicle (JC) reported.
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, however, is urging her to cancel at the last minute, due to the recent Gaza conflict and ongoing political situation.
“We would find it especially disturbing should you choose to play in Israel given its recent onslaught on Gaza,” the campaign group said in an open message to the vocal artist. “Palestinian civil society groups are calling on artists to shun Tel Aviv in the same way that South African activists called on artists to boycott Sun City.”
“We hope that you will not be persuaded by the argument that music builds bridges and can bring smiles to people’s faces, thus hopefully spreading a message of peace,” they added. “Any message of peace you hope to bring will be drowned by Israel’s well-oiled publicity that will use you to rebrand itself as a normal state that promotes music and culture.”
The singer, who is touring to promote her new album “Havoc and Bright Lights,” is also being targeted by followers on Facebook and Twitter.
According to the JC, there is also an outpouring of support for the Canadian singer, with one fan responding to the negative backlash by writing, “Please don’t be bullied by the anti Israel sentiment. Go to Israel and see for yourself.”