A scheduled performance by Jewish reggae artist Matisyahu was canceled because Matisyahu would not issue a statement in support of Palestine.
The Rototom Sunsplash Reggae Festival announced its decision to cancel Matisyahu’s Aug. 22 performance in a statement, which refers to Matisyahu as an “American Hebrew”:
“[A]fter having repeatedly sought dialogue given the unavailability of the artist for comment, in order to clearly declare himself regarding the war and in particular the right of the Palestinian people to have their own State, [Rotom Sunsplash] has decided to cancel the performance of Matisyahu scheduled for August 22 and will soon announce who will substitute him.”
The statement also alleges, “Rototom Sunsplash has demonstrated on numerous occasions its sensitivity regarding Palestine, its people and the occupation of their territories by Israel.”
The Times of Israel reports Rototom Sunsplash’s website features a two-and-a-half hour documentary about Palestine.
According to El Pais, Matisyahu was instructed to write a statement or produce a video vocalizing his support for Palestine, or else his performance would be canceled.
In a Facebook post, Rototom Sunsplash tried to clarify its reasoning for canceling Matisyahu: “We did not say NO to Matisyahu because he has hebrew [sic] roots or as a Zionist,” but because Matisyahu would not answer a “simple (and legitimate) question” about his position on Palestine.
Matisyahu believes it is “appalling and offensive” that he was required to make a statement regarding Palestine in order to perform. He wrote on Facebook:
“The festival organizers contacted me because they were getting pressure from the BDS movement. They wanted me to write a letter, or make a video, stating my positions on Zionism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to pacify the BDS people. I support peace and compassion for all people. My music speaks for itself, and I do not insert politics into my music. Music has the power to transcend the intellect, ideas, and politics, and it can unite people in the process. The festival kept insisting that I clarify my personal views; which felt like clear pressure to agree with the BDS political agenda. Honestly it was appalling and offensive, that as the one publicly Jewish-American artist scheduled for the festival they were trying to coerce me into political statements. Were any of the other artists scheduled to perform asked to make political statements in order to perform? No artist deserves to be put in such a situation simply to perform his or her art. Regardless of race, creed, country, cultural background, etc, my goal is to play music for all people. As musicians that is what we seek. - Blessed Love, Matis”
It is unclear whether other artists have been required by Rototom Sunsplash to pledge their allegiance to any political cause.
Rototom Sunsplash has stated the artist Etana will be replacing Matisyahu.