An Israeli court has ordered two New Zealand women to pay over $12,000 in damages for allegedly helping persuade the pop singer Lorde to cancel a performance in Israel.
The suit was filed under a law that allows civil lawsuits against anyone who calls for a boycott against Israel. Wednesday's ruling is believed to be the first time the 2011 law has been applied.
The two New Zealanders, Justine Sachs and Nadia Abu-Shanab, had appealed to the singer in an open letter to "join the artistic boycott of Israel." Lorde acknowledged the letter and canceled her show days later.