'My music speaks for itself, and I do not insert politics into my music,' the Jewish reggae rapper explains why he's not willing to show support for the Palestinian state.
- August 18, 2015
AceShowbiz -
Matisyahu's scheduled performance at a Spanish festival ended up getting canceled after he refused to show support for the Palestinian state. The Jewish reggae rapper then took to Facebook on Monday, August 17 to respond to his removal from the line-up of Rototom Sunsplash Reggae Festival.
"The festival organizers contacted me because they were getting pressure from the BDS movement. They wanted me to write...
Posted by Matisyahu on Monday, August 17, 2015
According to Matisyahu in his post, the festival was pressured by the BDS movement, which has called for various boycotts against Israel, to have him "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," he argued. "Music has the power to transcend the intellect, ideas, and politics, and it can unite people in the process."
However, "the festival kept insisting that I clarify my personal views; which felt like clear pressure to agree with the BDS political agenda," said Matisyahu who admitted he found the whole thing "appalling and offensive."
"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," he concluded his Facebook post.
Matisyahu's performance at the festival was scheduled to happen on Saturday, August 22. Following the controversy over the rapper's removal, the fest's organizers posted a statement on their website.
"Rototom Sunsplash has demonstrated on numerous occasions its sensitivity regarding Palestine, its people and the occupation of their territories by Israel, as demonstrated by the holding of numerous debates in its Social Forum; giving voice to pro-Palestinian organizations, activists and initiatives that, while being a minority, also seek dialogue from Israel, together with the peaceful coexistence of both peoples," they wrote.
They later said the decision to cancel Matisyahu's appearance was made because he's not willing to "clearly declare himself regarding the war and in particular the right of the Palestinian people to have their own State."
