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 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. - Sapa-AFP