In 2024, Jewish musician Matisyahu faced the cancellation of his concerts in Arizona and Santa Fe amid protests and claims of antisemitism, aimed to 'silence' his pro-Israel stance. Local pro-Palestinian groups claimed responsibility for the Arizona concert cancellation. The controversy extended to venue employees refusing to work, citing 'security concerns', which critics argue reflects broader antisemitism under the guise of political protest, likening the situation to a 'Nazi influenced generation'. Matisyahu, known for his messages of peace, has called out the hypocrisy of these cancellations. In response, he held a free concert in Tucson. The involvement of a Democratic senator's wife in leading a group behind the show's cancellation, as reported by the Washington Examiner, has also been highlighted.
Refusing to staff a show because the musician is Jewish and feels sympathy for both Israelis and Palestinians. Sounds anti art anti free speech and UnAmerican to me. https://t.co/nCUINJud0V
Matisyahu: Head of Arizona concert venue 'deeply saddened and offended' over antisemitism accusations https://t.co/EXYtQjC33E
Popular Jewish musician accuses venues of antisemitism after they canceled his concerts hours before showtime https://t.co/gkSeobtyuZ
Tucson: Pro-Israel singer holds free concert after venues cancel shows over 'security concerns' - https://t.co/jOSL2bYVtz
Democratic senator’s wife helps lead group behind Jewish artist Matisyahu’s show cancelation - Washington Examiner https://t.co/ljygzrzv1g
Democratic senator’s wife helps lead group behind Jewish artist Matisyahu’s show cancelation https://t.co/owvg1lZyFi https://t.co/owvg1lZyFi
Refusing to work a MATISYAHU concert is showing your whole anti-semitic ass, and is not actually progressive or anti-Zionist or pro-Palestinian. It just makes you a bigot https://t.co/SfuOdDp6HY
What does it mean to live in a society where Jewish art is uniquely canceled because of “security concerns,” like Matisyahu? Or menorah lightings & other events are canceled so as not to “pick a side”? It’s a society in which antisemitism is normalized. https://t.co/NEMGUREvRT
Two Matisyahu concerts canceled amid outcry from pro-Palestinian protesters https://t.co/y1son4DmYa
Jewish musician Matisyahu called out hypocrisy after his show in Santa Fe was canceled without warning at the last minute on Thursday night. https://t.co/VuOrZUnKLU
Refusing to show up to work when a Jewish artist performs won’t free Palestine. https://t.co/EMFLLqgmj6
Matisyahu concerts cancelled again because of antisemitism. In America, in 2024. Shame on this screwed up Nazi influenced generation. https://t.co/mK4qZlSpuq
Matisyahu is a Jew who sings about peace. Not about Israel. Not about conflict or war. About peace. The fact that he’s a Jews was enough to make venue employees refuse to work, forcing him to cancel concerts.
Local pro-Palestinian groups claimed to have been responsible for the cancelation. #Israel | #Palestine https://t.co/VuOrZUnKLU
"Reggae singer claims Arizona concert was canceled to 'silence' his pro-Israel stance." (via @EdMasley) https://t.co/OnzcCWz9UL
This is antisemitism in 2024 — employees pulling a no-show when their employer hosts a Jewish musician who sings about peace. If your vision of social justice compels you to prejudge people based on their ethnicity or faith, you’re not an activist— you’re a bigot and a loser.