Jewish Reggae Star Matisyahu Accuses Concert Venues Of Antisemitism Amid Show Cancellations

By Lisa Pelgin | Saturday, 17 February 2024 08:30 AM
Views 2K
Jewish Reggae Star Matisyahu Accuses Concert Venues Of Antisemitism Amid Show Cancellations

Jewish-American reggae artist Matisyahu has accused two concert venues of antisemitism after his shows were abruptly cancelled in February.

The first venue to cancel was Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, New Mexico, just hours before the scheduled show. The staff cited concerns over alleged antisemitic protests as the reason for the cancellation. The Rialto Theater in Tucson, Arizona, then followed suit, cancelling Matisyahu's show the next day. In a Facebook post, the theater stated that the safety of their employees and guests was their top priority and apologized for the late notice.

Matisyahu took to Twitter to express his frustration, suggesting that the cancellations were due to either antisemitism or a confusion of empathy for the Palestinian people with hatred towards him. He offered to supplement the staff shortages in Tucson at his own expense, but his offer was rejected.

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The cancellations have sparked outrage, with Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber condemning the alleged racism and discrimination. He emphasized the difference between protesting against the policies of the Israeli government and shutting down the performance of a Jewish-American artist. Mayor Webber stated that there is no excuse for antisemitism, Islamophobia, bigotry, bias, racism, or intolerance.

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The executive director of the Rialto Theatre, Cathy Rivers, explained that the decision to cancel the show was based on safety concerns. She mentioned that the tone of the day had changed, but did not elaborate further. Neither the Rialto Theatre, Meow Wolf, nor Matisyahu have responded to requests for comment.

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The cancellations have raised questions about freedom of expression and the treatment of artists based on their religious or political beliefs. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for dialogue and understanding.

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