New York, May 30 (RHC)-- After months of intense campaigning by pro-Palestinian activists and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, popular Colombian pop singer Shakira will not be performing in Israel in July, entertainment company Live Nation announced Tuesday.

“We welcome news that Shakira will not be performing in Tel Aviv, dashing Israel’s hopes to use her name to art-wash its latest massacre in Gaza,” the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, said in a tweet celebrating the news.  “Artists, especially UN Goodwill Ambassadors, have a moral duty not to be complicit in covering up human rights violations and apartheid.” 

The concert producer Live Nation tweeted Monday night that the report by an Israeli TV station few weeks ago that Shakira was going to perform in Israel was incorrect, despite being reported on widely by Israeli media and others for weeks before the firm decided to debunk the claim. 

“The media has incorrectly reported that Shakira will be performing in Tel Aviv this summer. While no dates this summer will work, Shakira and Live Nation hope to bring a show to her fans in Israel in the future.”  Several Israeli news outlets in fact reported on the news and carried the report from Hadashot TV without questioning it.  Since the release of the report the BDS and other pro-Palestine activists launched a peaceful campaign calling on Shakira to cancel the reported concert.