One of pop’s biggest names took Tel Aviv by storm Saturday night, showing some major love towards Israel.
Kicking off her much anticipated show, Lady Gaza greeted the crowd by shouting out “I love you!” in Hebrew to some 30,000 fans who gathered at Hayarkon Park.
Lady Gaga is the first big-name performer to arrive and perform in Israel following the recent 50-day conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Other music bigwigs, such as Lana Del Rey, the Backstreet Boys and Neil Young & Crazy Horse, cancelled all their summer performances in Israel due to rocket fire by Gaza terrorists on the Jewish State.
Lady Gaga, who is currently touring the world on her artRAVE: the ARTPOP Ball tour, stood firm in her support of Israel and, despite escalating violence, did not cancel her performance.
Promotion for the concert was at a bare minimum during the summer and rumors abounded on whether Lady Gaga would cancel her show. However, two weeks ago, the pop diva released a short clip assuring her fans in Israel that the show will indeed go on.
The video received many angry responses form some of her Arab fans. Al Arabiya news agency reported that fans on social media called Lady Gaga “disgusting” and “devilish” for showing support for Israel.
Lady Gaga’s Pre-Performance Message to Israel
Right before the concert, Lady Gaga tweeted, “I am so excited for tonights performance, so many feelings. I can feel the energy of the crowd already. Love and Happiness #artRAVETelAviv.”
Lady Gaga’s performance marks what many are saying is a return to normal life in Israel. In a surprise for her fans, music legend Tony Bennett joined Lady Gaga on stage. The duo sang their own rendition of the classic song, “I Can Give You Anything But Love.”
Bennett, who arrived in Israel on Saturday, is scheduled to perform at Tel Aviv’s Charles Bronfman Auditorium on Sunday.
Lady Gaga’s last performance in Israel was in August 2009 despite pressure from the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement to cancel her performance.
