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Lana Del Rey Vows to 'Visit Palestine' During Israel Tour in Wake of Backlash

The popular singer-songwriter has been on the receiving end of criticism for agreeing to sing at a concert in Israel despite allegations of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) using excessive force against Palestinian protestors – claims which have been vehemently denied by Tel Aviv and senior IDF officials.
Sputnik

Lana Del Rey said in a statement posted on social media on Tuesday that she still intends to go ahead with the concert, but added that she will “play music for everyone” and will visit Palestinian territories during the tour.

“We will still be playing our show in Israel. That being said, I understand the concern towards showing support to the Palestinians too,” Del Rey posted on Instagram on August 21.

“So I just wanted to let you know when I’m in Israel I will be visiting Palestine too and I look forward to meeting both Palestinian and Israeli children and playing music for everyone. I want peace for both Israel and Palestine," she added. 

READ MORE: Israel Closes Gaza Border Crossing, Responding to Rallies – Palestinian Ministry

She also addressed Roger Waters, a key supporter of the pro-Palestine Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement, writing, “I totally understand what you’re saying.”

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The BDS has directly called on several singers and musicians to avoid Israel to show their support and solidarity with Palestinians, though many performers have dismissed the movement as unnecessarily politicizing music and the performing arts.

Del Rey is set to perform at the Meteor Festival in Lehavot HaBashan’s Pecan Park in early September, with A$AP Ferg, Flying Lotus and Kamasi Washington also heading to Israel for the widely anticipated music festival.

She earlier said that her decision to perform in Israel was not a “political statement,” insisting that her “views on democracy and oppression are aligned with most liberal views.”

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