JERUSALEM (AP) — Nick Cave, the dark poet of rock, says he is performing in Tel Aviv to take a stand against an international movement advocating for boycotts against Israel.

Cave told reporters Sunday he came under pressure to cancel his shows by the BDS movement, which calls for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel. The Palestinian-led campaign advocates boycotts against Israel to promote the Palestinian cause. Israel says the movement aims to delegitimize the Jewish state.

Cave says "it suddenly became very important to make a stand against those people that are trying to shut down musicians, to bully musicians, to censor musicians and to silence musicians."

Some artists have cancelled shows in Israel amid BDS pressure.

Cave performs two shows in Tel Aviv this week.