Costello says no to Israel
Elvis Costello cancels Israel concerts
Singer Elvis Costello has pulled out of two gigs in Israel due to concerns over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The musician, who was due to perform later this summer, said: “Having your name added to a concert schedule may be interpreted as a political act.”
Costello said his decision was “a matter of instinct and conscience” and “too grave and complex” to be addressed at a concert.
In a statement on his website, Costello explained: “I must believe that the audience for the coming concerts would have contained many people who question the policies of their government on settlement and deplore conditions that visit intimidation, humiliation or much worse on Palestinian civilians in the name of national security.
“I am also keenly aware of the sensitivity of these themes in the wake of so many despicable acts of violence perpetrated in the name of liberation.” </em>
