Lana Del Rey nixes Israel concert after pressure from activists

Singer Lana Del Rey has cancelled her planned performance at an Israeli music festival after pressure from Palestinian boycott activists.

In a Twitter message late Friday, Del Rey says she is delaying "until a time when I can schedule visits for both my Israeli and Palestinian fans." It wasn't clear whether it was a direct response to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement's boycott call. Still, it marked a setback for Israel, which aims to prevent politics from infiltrating the arts.

Del Rey was to headline the inaugural Meteor Festival in northern Israel next week.

BDS urges businesses, artists and universities to sever ties with Israel. It says it's a non-violent way to promote the Palestinian cause. But Israel says it masks an aim to de-legitimize the Jewish state.

Del Rey is one of a number of international stars who have opted to steer clear of performing in Israel. New Zealand singer Lorde announced the cancellation late last year of a Tel Aviv performance scheduled for June of 2018, responding to similar political pressure.