http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/elvis-costello-cancels-concerts-in-israel
May 18, 2010, 10:51 am
ArtsBeat - New York Times Blog
Elvis Costello Cancels Concerts in Israel
By DAVE ITZKOFF
Elvis Costello has canceled two concerts he was planning to perform in
Israel this summer, citing the complexeties of the continuing
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Agence France-Presse reported.
Mr. Costello was scheduled to appear at the Caesarea Amphitheater on
June 30 and July 1. But in a statement on his official Web site, he
wrote, "It is after considerable contemplation that I have lately
arrived at the decision that I must withdraw from the two
performances."
Mr. Costello went on to write that "there are occasions when merely
having your name added to a concert schedule may be interpreted as a
political act that resonates more than anything that might be sung,"
adding:
<Costello quote>
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.
<End Costello quote>
Mr. Costello wrote that his decision was "a matter of instinct and
conscience."
In a statement reported by Agence France-Presse, Limor Livnat, the
Israeli sport and culture minister, criticized Mr. Costello for
canceling his shows.
"An artist who boycotts his fans in Israel is not worthy of performing
in front of them," Ms. Livnat wrote.
<end NYT newsblog post>