Lorde’s Music Removed from Apple Music in Israel After Controversial Concert

NEW YORK CITY, NY — Lorde‘s music has disappeared from Apple Music in Israel following a controversial statement made during her concert in New York City on Wednesday. The New Zealand-born pop star shouted, “free f–king Palestine” while performing her hit song “Team,” sparking backlash and discussions about cultural boycotts.

During the performance at Madison Square Garden, Lorde made headlines as the stage was illuminated with colors of the Palestinian flag: red, green, white, and black. The statement resonated strongly, given the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and the artist’s history of political engagement.

As of Thursday, users in Israel reported that Lorde’s music was inaccessible on Apple Music, while her tracks remained available in the United States. The New York Post has reached out to Apple to clarify whether the removal was initiated by the company or influenced by external pressures.

Lorde’s actions come amid a larger trend of artists expressing solidarity with Palestine. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has urged performers to refrain from engaging with Israeli markets, and other artists have followed suit. Reports indicate that while her songs are blocked in Israel on Apple Music, they remain available to Spotify users in the country.

This isn’t the first time Lorde has faced criticism regarding her ties to Israel. In 2017, she canceled a scheduled concert in Tel Aviv under pressure from activists. Supporters of Israel have labeled the BDS movement as antisemitic, arising from its singular focus on the Jewish state.

While Apple has historically avoided taking public positions on the Israel-Palestine conflict, it maintains a significant footprint in Israel’s tech landscape. Other tech companies have faced protests related to their relationships with Israeli military forces, highlighting the blurred lines between commerce and international humanitarian issues.

The controversy surrounding Lorde highlights the challenges artists face in navigating complex global political landscapes. As discussions about cultural representation and activism evolve, the reactions to her statement reveal how deeply intertwined music and politics have become. The fallout from this incident is still developing as both Lorde and Apple have not publicly commented on the situation.