Annie Lennox sparks backlash after wading into Israel-Hamas conflict
- Lennox, 69, sang Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U on the Grammys
Annie Lennox has sparked a backlash after she referred to as for a ‘ceasefire’ throughout her emotional Grammys efficiency.
The Eurythmics star, 69, appeared on the world’s largest awards ceremony to pay tribute to the late Sinead O’Connor, performing the Irish songbird’s largest hit Nothing Compares 2 U.
But the singer brought on ruptures instantly afterwards by calling for ‘ceasefire’ amid the Israel-Hamas battle.
The gesture was met with swift condemnation on social media, with former UN particular envoy towards anti-Semitism Noa Tishby writing on Twitter/X: ‘Tonight the Grammys have been hijacked in favor of Hamas’ agenda.
‘Singer Annie Lennox referred to as for a ceasefire, denying Israel’s proper to defend itself, and in addition not calling for the discharge of the hostages. So principally giving Hamas precisely what they wished.
Annie Lennox, 69, brought on ruptures instantly after her Grammys efficiency by calling for an Israeli ceasefire in Gaza, rising her hand and proclaiming : ‘Artists for ceasefire. Peace on the planet’
Lennox’s defiant gesture, which adopted a efficiency in tribute to fellow outspoken singer Sinead O’Connor, attracted fierce criticism from on-line commentators
Lennox’s gesture was met with swift condemnation on social media, as customers accused her of failing to grasp Israel’s place
‘You know, I feel that subsequent time a singer needs to do one thing that is good for humanity, they need to in all probability name on the discharge of harmless girls, and a child, and a toddler from the arms of a genocidal terrorist group. I feel that is in all probability a good suggestion.’
Aviva Klomas, a campaigner towards anti-Semitism, tweeted: ‘Annie Lennox referred to as for a ceasefire and peace on the Grammys incomes her hordes of pro-Hamas followers.
‘Hamas itself was unavailable to remark because it was too busy torturing hostages and studying its Charter which requires the full elimination of Israel.’
The stunt follows experiences that Hamas could reject any ceasefire proposal, though the terrorist sect maintains it’s nonetheless contemplating situations specified by Paris final week.
Daily Star journalist Adam Cailler was additionally fast to criticise Lennox.
He wrote: ‘Did Annie Lennox clarify precisely how she needs a ceasefire to occur? No? Oh effectively, on we go, ignoring the performative bulls**t from idiots like Annie Lennox.’
Heidi Bachram, a columnist with the Jewiosh Chronicle, added: ‘ Annie Lennox ought to have instantly addressed her plea for a ceasefire to Hamas… Alas the homophobic, misogynist, racist, rapist terrorists do not get a point out from this feminist icon.
‘Lennox wraps her message in generalities like ‘peace’ but one have a look at her Instagram and it is awash with propaganda for one aspect.’
But regardless of the condemnation, Lennox’s demonstration comes amid related statements backing a ceasefire from different artists on the purple carpet of the awards ceremony, which was held on the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Singer-musician Esperanza Spalding donned a keffiyeh to the occasion in a present of assist for Palestine, in accordance with Rolling Stone, whereas the group Boygenius – consisting of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker – donned pins promoting the pro-ceasefire petition Artists Call for Ceasefire Now.
Annie Lennox, 69, delivered an emotional tribute to the late Sinéad O’Connor through the In Memoriam phase of the 2024 Grammy Awards on Sunday on the Crypto.com Arena in LA
The U.Okay.-born singer-songwriter paid tribute to the late O’Connor – who died on the age of 56 final July – with a stirring rendition of the late singer’s 1990 smash hit Nothing Compares 2 U
Artists Call for Ceasefire Now is the title of a petition despatched to President Joe Biden final fall signed by plenty of actors and musicians.
The petition, which was despatched to the president in October, simply greater than two weeks after Hamas‘ October 7 assault on an Israeli music competition started the continued battle.
It learn: ‘We ask that, as President of the United States, you and the U.S. Congress name for a right away de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel earlier than one other life is misplaced.
‘More than 5,000 individuals have been killed within the final week and a half – a quantity any individual of conscience is aware of is catastrophic. We imagine all life is sacred, regardless of religion or ethnicity and we condemn the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians.’
Drake, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Dua Lipa, Alyssa Milano, Joaquin Phoenix, Macklemore and Jessica Chastain have been among the many celebrities to signal the petition on the time.
The No More ‘I Love You’s’ artist’s assertion got here amid a day of demonstration in Los Angeles, as protestors braved wet situations in an effort to dam the roads surrounding the venue in an effort to deliver consideration to their trigger.
A tweet from the account for the Party for Socialism and Liberation learn: ‘‼️RIGHT NOW: Hundreds in LA rally and put together to march outdoors the Grammy Awards for Palestine … A little bit rain will not deter the motion!’
The publish, which included video of ongoing protests, was accompanied by the hashtag, #ShutItDown4Palestine.
Grammy Awards 2024 winners: AT A GLANCE
Album Of The Year: Taylor Swift – Midnights
Record Of The Year: Miley Cyrus – Flowers
Song Of The Year: Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?
Taylor Swift made historical past as she earned her fourth Album Of The Year award on the Grammy Awards 2024
Best New Artist: Victoria Monet
Best Pop Solo Performance: Miley Cyrus – Flowers
Best Pop Vocal Album: Taylor Swift – Midnights
Best R&B Song: SZA – Snooze
Best Country Albim: Lainey Wilson – Bell Bottom Country
Best Música Urbana Album: Karol G – Mañana Será Bonito
The Eurythmics vocalist’s demonstration got here amid public statements signaling assist from a ceasefire from artists on the purple carpet on the occasion, which was held in LA
Lennox was one among plenty of performers who took the stage Sunday to pay tribute to artists who had died previously yr
The group Boygenius – consisting of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker – donned purple pins promoting the pro-ceasefire petition Artists Call for Ceasefire Now
Singer-musician Esperanza Spalding donned a keffiyeh to the occasion in a present of assist for Palestine, in accordance with Rolling Stone
O’Connor was not one to shrink back from utilizing her platform to talk her reality, as she made worldwide headlines in October of 1992 after she tore up a picture of the Pope whereas showing on Saturday Night Live in an announcement towards intercourse abuse within the Catholic church
Insiders concerned in organizing the occasion instructed Variety Sunday that folks affiliated with the protest sought to dam ‘people from entering into the venue.’
The ongoing battle between Israel and Hamas has led to controversy in Hollywood, as variations in opinions have led to skilled ramifications for some performers.
In November, Scream VII producers fired Melissa Barrera from the forthcoming movie after she mentioned that Israel has engaged in ‘genocide and ethnic cleaning’ amid the battle.
Scream VII manufacturing firm Spyglass Media Group publicly commented on Barrera’s firing in saying, ‘We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any type, together with false references to genocide, ethnic cleaning, Holocaust distortion or something that flagrantly crosses the road into hate speech.’
O’Connor was not one to shrink back from utilizing her platform to talk her reality, as she made worldwide headlines in October of 1992 after she tore up a picture of the Pope whereas showing on Saturday Night Live in an announcement towards intercourse abuse within the Catholic church.
