'Say something, I'm giving up on you!': Activists call on Christina Aguilera to cancel Israel show

International pop star Christina Aguilera is facing mounting pressure to cancel her scheduled 10 August show in Israel over the country's ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories, injustices against Palestinians and acts of apartheid.

Fans and activists united under the hashtag #XtinaDontGo, urging the singer to refrain from performing in Tel Aviv.

The Adalah Justice Project's petition, signed by thousands of pro-Palestine supporters, called on Aguilera to use her platform to highlight the injustices faced by the Palestinians.

On Friday, rights activists went to the Roc Nation New York headquarters to hand-deliver a message to the international pop icon on behalf of thousands of fans: "Don’t play for apartheid Israel".

Activists pointed out that the location of Aguilera's upcoming concert in Israel, Live Park at Rishon LeZion, was built in part over the ruins of ethnically cleansed Palestinian villages, including al-Safiriyya, Sarafand al-Amar, and Bayt Dajan.

Palestinian groups, including women's unions, feminist associations, and queer organisations, called on international artists to respect their "peaceful picket line" and refrain from undermining their struggle for their legitimate rights.

The current Israeli government is perceived as the most extreme-right in the country's history, and there have been mounting calls on celebrities to avoid whitewashing its violations by performing in Israel.

Several prominent artists, including Sam Smith, Bjork, Lana Del Rey, Lorde, Shakira, and Pharrell have cancelled concerts or events in Israel in response to appeals from activists.

Lorde, in particular, expressed gratitude to her fans for "educating" her on Israeli apartheid in 2017.

Demi Lovato also apologised to her fans after taking a paid visit to Israel in 2019.

Dua Lipa, John Legend, FKA Twigs, Arca, and over 1,500 other musicians declared their support for Palestinians by refusing to perform at Israeli venues complicit in the occupation as did F1 champion Lewis Hamilton.