Lana Del Rey, the American singer-songwriter known for her cinematic and melancholic music, has often sparked controversy and curiosity with her personal and political views. One of the most debated topics among her fans and critics is her stance on Zionism, the movement that supports the establishment and preservation of a Jewish state in the historical land of Israel. In this article, we will explore Lana Rey’s views on Zionism, as well as her religious and ethnic background, using reliable sources and facts.
Is Lana Del Rey a Zionist?
Lana has never explicitly stated whether she is a Zionist or not, but she has expressed some opinions and actions that have been interpreted as either pro- or anti-Zionist by different observers. Here are some of the most notable examples:
In 2017, Lana Del Rey released a song called “Coachella – Woodstock In My Mind”, in which she reflected on the contrast between the music festival she attended and the tensions in North Korea and Syria. In the song, she also mentioned Israel and Palestine, singing: “I’d trade it all for a stairway to heaven / I’d take my time for the climb up to the top of it / I’d trade the fame and the fortune and the legend / I’d give it all away if you give me just one day to ask him one question / I’d give it all away if you give me just one day to ask him one question / What about all these children / And what about all their parents / And what about all the crowns they wear / In hair so long like mine / And what about all their wishes / Wrapped up like garland roses / Round their little heads / I said a prayer for a third time.”
Lana Rey’s Controversial Performance in Israel
Rey’s relationship with Zionism came under scrutiny in 2018, when she was scheduled to perform at the Meteor Festival in Tel Aviv, Israel. The festival was met with backlash from pro-Palestinian activists, who urged Lana and other artists to boycott the event, as a way of protesting against Israel’s occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people. The activists argued that performing in Israel would be seen as an endorsement of the Israeli government and its policies, which violate human rights and international law.
Lana Rey initially defended her decision to play in Israel, saying that it was not a political act, but a way of bringing music and peace to the region. She wrote on Twitter: “I believe music is universal and should be used to bring us together. We signed on to the show with the intention that it would be performed for the kids there and my plan was for it to be done with a loving energy with a thematic emphasis on peace.”
She also claimed that she would visit Palestine as well, and that she did not support any political movement. She added: “If you don’t agree with it I get it. I see both sides. But me and my band have been performing all over the world for months out of the years for years. So I’m not making a political statement. I’m just singing. If I could have a show in Palestine I would.”
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Criticism and Pressure From Fans
Lana Del Rey faced a lot of criticism and pressure from her fans, fellow artists, and human rights organizations, who accused her of being ignorant, insensitive, and complicit with Israel’s apartheid regime.
Some of the most vocal critics were Roger Waters, a former member of Pink Floyd and a prominent supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for a cultural and economic boycott of Israel until it complies with international law and respects Palestinian rights. Waters wrote an open letter to Lana Rey, urging her to cancel her show and join the BDS campaign.
He said: “I have been reading your comments on Twitter, maybe I can help clear a couple of things up. Palestine is a unique situation in that the BDS picket line exists at the request of Palestine civil society as a whole. To respect it as I do, and as Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, Lorde, Natalie Imbruglia, Massive Attack, and thousands of other artists do, is a political act of support for the people of Palestine in their struggle for human rights and freedom.”
Waters also challenged Del Rey’s claim that music is universal and apolitical, saying: “Music is not simply a commodity or a frill, it is a core expression of our humanity, and as such it is a powerful tool for social change. Music can bring joy and healing, but it can also bear witness, tell the truth, and expose lies. Music can be a force for good, but it can also be used to whitewash and sanitize injustice and oppression. Music can be a bridge, but it can also be a wall.”
A few days before the festival, Lana Del announced that she had postponed her performance, citing the inability to schedule a show in Palestine as well. She said: “It’s important to me to perform in both Palestine and Israel and treat all my fans equally. Unfortunately it hasn’t been possible to line up both visits with such short notice and therefore I’m postponing my appearance at the Meteor Festival until a time when I can schedule visits for both my Israeli and Palestinian fans, as well as hopefully other countries in the region.”
Lana Del Rey’s cancellation was welcomed by the BDS movement, which praised her for listening to the voices of her fans and the Palestinian people. Omar Barghouti, a co-founder of the BDS movement, said: “We urge Lana Rey to take the next logical step and join the cultural boycott of Israel until it ends its grave violations of Palestinian human rights. We hope that she will follow the example of Lorde, Natalie Portman, and many other artists who have respected the Palestinian picket line.”
Lana Rey’s Religious and Ethnic Background
Apart from her views on Zionism, Del Rey’s fans and critics have also been curious about her religious and ethnic background. Lana Rey, whose real name is Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, was born in New York City on June 21, 1985. She is of mixed ethnicity, with Scottish, English, Irish, German, Dutch, and Welsh ancestry. Her family lineage traces back to the Mayflower, a well-known symbol of European ancestry in the United States.
Lana Del Rey was raised in a devout Catholic household, which played a significant role in shaping her faith. She attended a Catholic school, where she was exposed to the teachings and traditions of the Catholic faith. She also sang in the church choir, which allowed her to express her faith through music and develop her vocal skills. She has said: “My understanding of God has come from my own personal experiences. Because I was in trouble so many times in New York that if you were me, you would believe in God too. When things get bad enough, your only resort is to lie in bed and start praying. I dunno about congregating once a week in a church and all that, but when I heard there is a divine power you can call on, I did.”
She has never publicly identified herself as a Christian, but she has often incorporated religious themes and imagery into her music. Many of her songs contain lyrics that reference Christian symbols, such as crosses, angels, heaven, and hell. She has also used biblical allusions, such as Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and Judas and Jesus. Some of her songs that explore religious topics are “Gods and Monsters”, “Born to Die”, “Honeymoon”, “Salvatore”, and “God Knows I Tried”. She has said: “I like the idea of God, of someone who loves you unconditionally. I think that’s a nice thing to believe in. I don’t know if I do believe in it, but I like the idea of it.”
Lana Rey’s religious and ethnic background has influenced her artistic and personal identity, as well as her views on the world. She has expressed her admiration for different cultures and faiths, and has shown respect and tolerance for diversity. She has said: “I’m interested in lots of different religions. I think there’s something very beautiful about all of them. I like the way they make people feel, and the rituals, and the sense of community. I think that’s important for people to have.”
Lana Del Rey is one of the most influential and controversial artists of the 21st century, who has captivated millions of fans with her unique and captivating music. Her views on Zionism, religion, and ethnicity have been the subject of much debate and speculation, as she has often expressed her opinions and experiences on these topics. In this article, we have tried to provide an objective and factual analysis of Lana Rey’s views, using credible sources and evidence. We hope that this article has helped you to understand Del Rey better, and to appreciate her music and artistry more. Thank you for reading.
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