Dua Lipa has fired her manager, David Levy, after he signed a letter demanding the removal of the pro-Palestinian Irish band Kneecap from the Glastonbury Festival last July.
Before the festival, several figures from the music industry had signed a letter sent to the festival’s founder, Michael Eavis, urging him to cancel the band’s participation.
However, the letter was leaked, with well-known names from the music scene denouncing it. As a result, Kneecap went on to perform as scheduled. Among the signatories was David Levy, Dua Lipa’s manager.
According to the Daily Mail, citing a source in the music industry, the singer’s decision to dismiss Levy is connected to her pro-Palestinian stance, which “does not align” with that of her former associate.
“She sees him as a supporter of Israel’s war in Gaza and of the appalling treatment of Palestinians—something made absolutely clear by the letter he signed and sent to Michael Eavis,” the source told the British paper.
The band Kneecap has faced backlash over accusations that it supports the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and the Palestinian Hamas, something it denies.
In May, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged under UK anti-terrorism law for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert last November. His case has been adjourned until the end of the month.
Last week, Kneecap criticized the Canadian government for barring them entry into the country, accusing them of supporting political violence and terrorism through groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
In response, Kneecap called the comments by Vince Gasparro, Liberal MP and parliamentary secretary for crime reduction, “completely untrue and deeply malicious,” even threatening legal action against him.
An increasing number of pro-Palestinian artists are calling for a stronger stance from the music industry. On Friday, more than 400 musicians and record labels signed the “No Music for Genocide” initiative, withdrawing their music from Israel in protest against the war in Gaza and the “ethnic cleansing in the occupied West Bank.” “This tangible action is just one step toward meeting Palestinian demands to isolate and delegitimize Israel, as it kills without consequence on the international stage,” the initiative declared.
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