Spanish Embassy of Canada: We regret the decision to cancel Matisyahu's performance
Embassy's statement conveys Spanish governments regret at festival organizers anti-Semitic decision to cancel Jewish rappers performance.
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: AUGUST 22, 2015 05:13Matisyahu performing live at the Republik Music Festival in Honolulu, Hawaii. June 8, 2014(photo credit: PETER CHIAPPERINO)
The Spanish Embassy in Canada released a statement this past week conveying the Spanish governments regret and criticism of the decision to cancel Jewish rapper Matisyahu's performance at the reggae music festival "Rototom."The statement goes on to inform the public that the organizers of the event have also "apologized for their behavior" and confirmed that a performance by the rapper had indeed been scheduled at the festival for Saturday August 22.The statement comes following international condemnation of the decision to cancel Matisyahu's appearance at the festival, after organizers issued an ultimatum that he sign a statement supporting a Palestinian state, which he refused to do.Following the cancellation, The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned the Rototom Sunsplash reggae festival in Spain on Tuesday, calling their cancellation of American-Jewish artist Matisyahu's performance "a clear case of anti-Semitic discrimination."The ADL isn't the only organization that has been vociferous in their condemnation of the festival. The world Jewish Congress also issued a statement that relayed their "outrage" and "utter bewilderment" at the cancellation. The Spanish government, too, expressed their outrage at such a decision, and said they reject boycott campaigns and any other signs of anti anti-Semitism."Imposing a public declaration (from Matisyahu) puts into question the principle of non-discrimination on which all plural and diverse societies are based," the Spanish foreign ministry said in a statement.Reuters contributed to this report.