Controversial American rapper and singer Azealia Banks announced on Tuesday that she has moved to Tel Aviv, days before she’s scheduled to perform on October 8.
“If you would have told me years ago I'd end up moving to Tel Aviv and liking it, I would have said you're crazy,” Banks shared in a post on X/Twitter along with a picture of her new apartment.
She later clarified her reasoning for the move, explaining that she has been working on new music since arriving in Israel and has found a place in the local art scene.
“I found some real camaraderie and some really cool music crew here, and it's ironically just been easier to create here because Israel's arts scene is really mature,” Banks stated. “This is the most creatively enabled I've felt in years."
When probed by a fan about her 2025 move to Stockholm, Banks said that the Swedish capital was too cold for her.
Banks shared her thoughts on Israeli politics on her X account, showing support for Naftali Bennett, although she also said that the coalition with Yair Lapid "makes zero sense."
Banks has also repeatedly praised Itamar Ben Gvir, at one point writing that he was "right about everything. Quite possibly the most important politician in the Middle East."
Banks shifts stance on Israel over years
The rapper has had an erratic relationship with Israel, at times condemning the country and at other times staunchly defending it.
In 2018, Banks stood up to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement ahead of an early Tel Aviv show.
At the time, she slammed cancellation demands as “totally antisemitic,” arguing that giving in would mean unfairly targeting Jewish fans. However, shortly after the trip, she temporarily vowed never to return, citing alleged encounters with racism.
In mid-2025, Banks re-emerged as an outspoken supporter, publicly identifying as a Zionist.
After European promoters canceled her UK and EU tour bookings because she refused to chant pro-Palestinian slogans on stage, she traveled to Israel for a multi-week solidarity tour.
Banks participates in Oct 7 anniversary show
Organized by veteran Israeli producer Almog Sarid, she headlined a sold-out show at the Tel Aviv Amphitheater to mark the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, declaring the date a time of “deep remembrance.”
During that trip, she toured Yad Vashem and the site of the Nova music festival.
In March, Banks abruptly turned on Israel via social media amid heightening geopolitical tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran. In a series of profane, viral posts, she rescinded her support, wrote “F*** ISRAEL,” and heavily criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
However, later in the year, she booked her third performance in Israel to take place at the Tel Aviv Amphitheater on October 8 and is reportedly using Tel Aviv as a creative refuge to work on new music with prominent local producer Yinon Yahel.
Tzuf Tzimmering contributed to this report.