With a  statement in her official site Jennifer Lopezannounced the cancellation of her controversial concert in Northern Cyprus on July 24. The short statement reads: “Jennifer Lopez would never knowingly support any state, country, institution or regime that was associated with any form of human rights abuse. After a full review of the relevant circumstances in Cyprus, it was the decision of her advisors to withdraw from the appearance. This was a team decision that reflects our sensitivity to the political realities of the region.”

J Lo’s  $3 million contract to perform at the grand opening of Cratos Premium Hotel  and celebrate also her 41st birthday together with husband Marc Antony and their twins in Turkish-occupied Keryneia had sparked angry reactions among Diasporea Greek Cypriots and  Greeks. Cyprus Action Network of America-CANA and American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association-AHEPAled a grassroots campaign urging Lopez to withdraw from her planned visit, by providing her with  documentation  about the destruction of Cyprus’ cultural and religious heritage by Turkey and the latter’s violations of international law. Even a Facebook page campaigning against the Lopez visit was set up. Within a week the page had topped 19,270 members, the majority of them being Greeks but also Turks are present.

Lopez decision to cancell her visit was applauded by the Greeks as expected. Quite some fans have congratulated her so far in her official site.

The 3 million members strong Greek-Americans organisation writes in its site: “AHEPA Applauds J.Lo for Withdrawing from Occupied Cyprus Gig”

“Congratulations on the wise choice Jenny” writes someone in the Facebook page, while another urges members “Don’t forget to go by http:www.facebook.com/jenniferlopez
and say a big thank you to J-Lo for taking into consideration the reality of occupation and violation of Human Rights in Cyprus”. A third one even goes so far to propose “Can her performance be arranged in the legal, free part of Cyprus and enforce the right message that way?”

Fiercely disappointedare the Turkish Cypriots  commenting on J Lo’s site “You just gave up 80 million fans” and “I am very said because such a beautiful artistic event has become political playground of or Greek friends”.

At the very end it appears Jennifer Lopez and her managers were unaware of the sensivities on the island and the outcry her performance in a divided and illegally occupied state would spark. They couldn’t but bow to the immense pressure. Is J Lo finally out of the political minefield she has stepped in?

The Cyprus issue erupted  early 60’s and the island was  divided in 1974 when the Turkish military occupied the northern  part.  Up to day, 35.000 Turkish troops are present in North Cyprus, which claims to be an ‘independent state’, but it is not officially recognized by any government worldwide or the UN, except Turkey. Any diplomatic efforts to find a political solution to the issue have failed so far.

Jennifer Lopez performance on July 24th would coincide with the 36th ‘intervesion’ anniversary celebrated by  Turkish Cypriots. This is the date that the Greek Cypriots remember with tears and sorrow.