Singer drops concert after death threats
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jerusalem (AP) - In response to death threats, the Irish pop singer Sinead O'Connor yesterday cancelled a concert in Jerusalem that was to have promoted the city as a capital for Israelis and Palestinians.
A Jewish extremist said he and his supporters prompted O'Connor to drop out, though he stopped short of saying that he had made the threats. "Due to us she is not arriving," said Itamar Ben-Gvir, an activist in the Ideological Front, an offshoot of the outlawed anti-Arab Kach movement. "We are calling the pressure we put on her ... a success," he told Israel Radio.
The politically outspoken O'Connor had cancelled part of her American tour to perform in Jerusalem. Her concert on Saturday evening was to have been the highlight of a series of events under the slogan "Sharing Jerusalem: two Capitals for Two States". The events were organised by Israeli and Palestinian women's groups.
In a statement, O'Connor said: "I cannot put in danger the lives of my two children, my musicians and my technicians, so I have decided to cancel."
The death threats were received by the Irish and British embassies in Tel Aviv. Police said they were not investigating because they had not received official complaints. However, the Irish Embassy said a complaint was made to police.
The mayor of Jerusalem, Ehud Olmert, who is opposed to sharing control of the city with the Palestinians, told Israel Radio he was delighted that O'Connor had cancelled, but he claimed the singer dropped out due to low ticket sales, a charge denied by concert organisers.
The emotional attachment of Israelis and Palestinians to Jerusalem makes the city the toughest item on the agenda for the still-unstarted talks on a permanent peace agreement.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments