Bruno Mars played his first-ever show in Israel this past Wednesday night. Today, he’s canceling his second concert, scheduled for tonight in Tel Aviv, after a surprise attack from Hamas escalated the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country is now “at war” with Hamas and that he seeks “victory,” reports The New York Times.
“Bruno Mars concert scheduled to take place tonight is cancelled,” Live Nation Israel announced in a statement in Hebrew. “All ticket purchases to the show will receive an automatic refund to the credit card through which the purchase was made.”
By early evening hours local time, Israel’s national rescue service said that at least 100 Israelis were killed and over 1,400 wounded following this morning’s rocket attack, reports The New York Times. In the Gaza Strip, at least 198 Palestinians were killed and over 1,600 wounded by Israel’s retaliation, said the Palestinian Health Ministry.
When Music Becomes Political Protest