Israelis Sue Activists Over Lorde Cancellation

Amy Harris / Invision / AP – Lorde
Lorde strikes an elegant poise during Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco Aug. 13.

Three Lorde fans in Israel are suing the authors of an open letter that appears to have influenced the artist to cancel her performance in the country.

The plaintiffs are Israelis utilizing controversial legislation that allows for legal action when economic, cultural or academic boycotts against Israel cause economic damage. The teenage plaintiffs are suing for 45,000 Israeli shekels ($13,200) according to the New York Times.

The defendants, Justine Sachs and Nadia Abu-Shanab, of Jewish and Palestinian backgrounds respectively, wrote an open letter urging Lorde not to perform in Tel Aviv June 5. Lorde responded to a link to the letter on Twitter saying: “Noted! Been speaking w many people about this and considering all options. Thank u for educating me I am learning all the time too,” indicating she was influenced by the piece.

The “Law for Prevention of Damage to State of Israel through Boycott” was introduced in 2011, according to IQ. This is the first use of the Israeli law, according to the Times, and some are questioning enforcement of the law against people not residing in Israel.

Lorde called off the gig through a statement, saying she received an “overwhelming number of messages & letters” and that she “didn’t make the right call” in scheduling an Israel performance. She was subsequently the target of a full-page ad in the Washington Post accusing her of anti-semitism.