Lana Del Rey latest to postpone Israel show

AFP and Ahram Online, Tuesday 12 Aug 2014

Lana Del Rey has become the latest Western musician to call off a concert in Israel as security fears from the Gaza offensive take a toll on the entertainment industry

Lana Del Ray
U.S. singer Lana del Rey performs in the Miles Davis Hall during the 46th Montreux Jazz Festival July 4, 2012 (Photo: Reuters)

Lana Del Rey has become the latest Western musician to call off a concert in Israel as security fears from the Gaza conflict take a toll on the entertainment industry.

The US pop balladeer, whose latest album "Ultraviolence" debuted at number one on the US charts, had been scheduled to play her first concert in Israel at Tel Aviv's Nokia Arena on August 20.

But the date was no longer on her website. Her opening act, Iowa-born singer-songwriter Max Jury, tweeted over the weekend that "unfortunately" the show with Del Rey "has been postponed" but that it would be rescheduled.

A representative for Del Rey did not immediately answer a request for comment.

Artists as diverse as folk rock legend Neil Young, '90s boys band the Backstreet Boys, the 1970s soft rock band America, prog rock combo Kansas and thrash metal mainstays Megadeth have all called off shows in Israel due to the deadly conflict with Hamas.

Industry publication Billboard quoted concert promoters as estimating losses of $10-20 million due to cancellations in Israel.

Israel's offensive on Gaza, which began on 8 July, led to the death of more than 1,930 Palestinians and the injury of more than 10,000 others. A total of 64 soldiers were also killed as well as three civilians on the Israeli side.

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