Israeli envoy to New Zealand: Lorde cancellation ‘regrettable’

Israel’s ambassador to New Zealand writes an open letter to pop star Lorde, telling her that instead of canceling her Tel Aviv concert she could have spread a positive message.

Itzhak Gerberg initially tweeted an invitation to the 21-year-old singer to meet with him over her decision to cave to pressure from Israel boycott activists.

Later he took to Facebook to address the songstress directly, telling her it was “regrettable” she had canceled her concert and disappointed her Israeli fans.

“Music is a wonderful language of tolerance and friendship, which brings people together,” he writes. “Your concert in Israel could have spread the message that solutions come from constructive engagement that leads to compromise and cooperation. Music should unite not divide and your performance in Israel could have contributed to the spirit of hope and peace in the Middle East.”