New Zealand musician and singer Lorde won the hearts of Palestinians after canceling her concert in Israel, but the same can't be said for her Israeli fans.
In Dec. 2017, the singer canceled her Israel concert after two BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) activists from New Zealand - one Jewish and one Palestinian - co-wrote a letter calling for the singer to do so. Months later, three hardcore Lorde fans sued the activists for "inciting" the singer to put the concert to a halt.
This week, a Jerusalem court ordered the two activists to pay $12,400 in "damages" to the Israeli fans for "causing mental harm to three Israeli teenagers who had purchased tickets to the concert."
The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court's decision is based on an "Israeli law that allows civil lawsuits against those who call for a boycott against Israel."
People found the decision too funny to be true
"Mental harm?"
"Israel has no right to police the political opinions of people across the world"
The activists have since rejected the court order.
"Our advice from New Zealand legal experts has been clear: Israel has no right to police the political opinions of people across the world," the activists said in a statement on Friday, according to Haaretz.
In December, the activists' letter was published by The Spinoff, garnering the attention of the singer.
"Playing in Tel Aviv will be seen as giving support to the policies of the Israeli government, even if you make no comment on the political situation," the letter read.
Lorde replied to the letter, saying "been speaking with many people about this and considering all options. Thank you for educating me. I am learning all the time too."
In an official response released by the concert organizers, Lorde said she had not "made the right call" when she decided to perform in Tel Aviv, according to Rolling Stone.
More than 100 artists signed a letter in support of Lorde's Israel boycott
In January, artists - from different countries around the world - signed a pledge in support of the singer's decision, saying she has every "right to take a stand" against Israel.
The artists include Roger Waters, Mark Ruffalo, David Gray and many others. Waters has long been vocally opposed to Israeli aggression and has consistently expressed his solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The open letter came after some media outlets referred to her as an anti-Semite. The Washington Post published an advertisement in their newspaper saying Lorde is "ignoring Syria to attack Israel."
"We deplore the bullying tactics being used to defend injustice against Palestinians and to suppress an artist’s freedom of conscience. We support Lorde’s right to take a stand," the letter read.