American rapper Azealia Banks is returning to Israel for a concert in Tel Aviv on Oct. 8, organizers announced Tuesday, marking her fourth performance in the country despite a turbulent history of public statements both supporting and condemning Israel.
Banks will perform at the Tel Aviv Amphitheater, where she held two concerts during her previous visit in October 2025. At one of those shows, she appeared onstage draped in an Israeli flag and wearing a Star of David necklace before an audience of about 3,000 people.
Her first performance in Israel was at Tel Aviv’s Barby club in 2018.
The upcoming concert follows another sharp turn in Banks’ frequently shifting stance toward Israel. Ahead of her 2025 visit, she spoke out against the cultural boycott of the country, described herself as a Zionist and said she had lost hundreds of thousands of dollars after refusing calls to declare “Free Palestine.”
But in March, Banks again changed course, sharply criticizing Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “On second thought, F—CK ISRAEL,” she wrote on X.
Her first visit to Israel also ended in controversy. After her 2018 Barby performance, Banks said she had encountered racism and hostility in the country and declared that she would “never ever ever ever ever go to Israel again.” Seven years later, however, she reversed course and returned for two more performances.
Banks rose to prominence in 2011 with her breakout single “212.” Her other releases include “Liquorice,” “Anna Wintour” and “The Big Big Beat.”
Azealia Banks
(Getty Images)
According to the concert organizers, Banks is already in Israel and is working with Israeli producer Yinon Yahel on her new album. Tickets for the Oct. 8 show are priced at 229 shekels.
Banks joins a relatively small group of international performers scheduled to appear in Israel in the coming months.
Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood is set to return in November to perform with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa at the Jerusalem Oud Festival.
Veteran British singer Engelbert Humperdinck is scheduled to perform Jan. 25 and 26, 2027, at the Charles Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv as part of his farewell tour.
Actor John Malkovich is also due at the same venue on April 13 with “The Music Critic,” a satirical stage production combining classical music and some of the harshest reviews written about celebrated composers.