Matisyahu performance in Spain cancelled amid pressure from BDS movement
Organizers accused the Jewish artist of being a "Zionist" who supports the practice of "apartheid and ethnic cleansing."
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: AUGUST 19, 2015 09:37Matisyahu(photo credit: ETHAN MILLER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
The annual reggae music festival Rototom Sunsplash that takes place in Benicassim, north of Valencia, Spain cancelled its scheduled appearance by famed Jewish rapper Matisyahu, Spanish daily El Pais reported Saturday.Valencia has developed a strong BDS campaign and organizers have accused the Jewish artist of being a "Zionist" who supports the practice of "apartheid and ethnic cleansing."Spain branch of BDS to Jpost : Matisyahu justified Israeli crimesThe Rototo organization conceded to pressures from the BDS movement, ultimately cancelling the performance after they issued Matisyahu an ultimatum to sign a statement supporting a Palestinian state, which he refused to do. Born Matthew Miller, Matisyahu has been the most visibly Jewish artist in the hip-hop world since his debut album "Shake Off the Dust... Arise" was produced by JDub Records in 2004.While he first affiliated with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, Matisyahu later distanced himself from the movement and moved on from JDub, which closed its doors this year. He shaved his signature beard and side locks and issued a statement saying "no more hassidic reggae superstar."The reggae and alternative rock star's appearance in Spain is just one of a number of stops during his tour of Europe this summer, which also includes Poland, Belgium, Germany, Ukraine and the Czech Republic, before his return for a whirlwind tour of the US.