Natalie Imbruglia Cancels Israel Show

Australian singer-songwriter and actress Natalie Imbruglia has walked into a political storm after canceling her March 1 date in Tel Aviv.

AP Photo / Keystone – Natalie Imbruglia
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The near-capacity show was at the 2,482-seat Charles Bronfman Auditorium. Israel’s print media showed its displeasure that she had seemingly succumbed to a campaign by activist group BDS.

The Palestinian-led group Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, which targets western artists and corporations from dealing with “apartheid Israel,” set up a Facebook page urging the Australian artist to reconsider after the date was announced in late January.

BDS hailed the cancellation as a victory for its campaign. But event organizers explained the reason as logistic constraints, according to the Times of Israel.

Imbruglia apologised to fans for the cancellation and said she hoped to visit Israel soon.

Imbruglia moved to London in the late ’90s after her hit “Torn” saw her debut album sell 7 million worldwide. The 2005 album topped the UK charts. She returned to Australia and released an album in mid-2016. She plays a 25-date solo acoustic run through Europe April 22 to May 27.