Pro-Palestine activists slam pop band Maroon 5 decision to play in Israel

Pro-Palestine activists slam pop band Maroon 5 decision to play in Israel
Some activists have condemned Maroon 5's decision to perform in Israel in the spring, just hours after tickets went on sale.
2 min read
24 February, 2022
Maroon 5 on Wednesday began selling tickets to their first-ever performance in Israel [Getty]

American pop band Maroon 5 are set to perform in Israel as part of their Middle East tour in the spring, leading to criticism from pro-Palestine fans.

The band on Wednesday began selling tickets to their first-ever performance in Israel due to take place on 9 May at Park Hayarkon in Tel Aviv.

They are also set to perform in Egypt's capital city Cairo and Dubai in the UAE.

Some activists have condemned the band for choosing to perform in Israel, a country that has been widely criticised by human rights groups for violations against Palestinians.

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"No to normalisation", an Egyptian fan tweeted at the band with the Egyptian and Palestinian flags together.

The non-violent BDS movement says it is inspired by the campaign that targeted South Africa's apartheid regime and is seeking to put an end to Israel's brutal occupation of the West Bank.

Israel claims the movement is a strategic threat and accuses it of anti-Semitism – a claim activists firmly deny, calling it an attempt to discredit them.

BDS, which advocates peaceful resistance, aims to pressure Israel to adhere to international law and human rights by lobbying various states, institutions and personas to understand its oppression of Palestinians and take action as a result.

The peaceful movement operates by pressuring corporations, artists and academic institutions to sever ties with Israel with supporters saying activities are aimed at promoting Palestinian statehood.