August 20, 2015
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) has welcomed the apology issued by 
the organisers of a Spanish reggae festival to Jewish American singer Matisyahu after previously cancelling his concert and their decision to reinvite him to perform. The organisers tried to force the singer to make a statement in support of “the right of the Palestinian people to have their own state.” When he refused, he was removed from the festival’s line-up and had his performance cancelled for his failure to speak “on Zionism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to pacify the BDS people”.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“I welcome the apology by the organisers of The Rokotom Sunsplash Festival and their admission that it was a mistake to ban Jewish artist Matisyahu because he refused to publicly state his position regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The appalling and reprehensible decision to expel Matisyahu was a staggering case of anti-Semitism and further proof that Jews today are still targeted because of their faith. As an organisation that claims to celebrates its role in promoting “the culture of peace and non-violence” Rototom’s behaviour in this instance violated every tenet and value they professed to promote. Moreover, the fact that the organisers acknowledged that they cancelled the appearance by Matisyahu because of “threats and coercion promoted by Valencia’s BDS that could seriously disrupt the normal functioning of the festival” demonstrates the dangerous extremism and bigotry of the BDS movement. We were heartened by the response of the Spanish government which immediately condemned the offensive action and reiterated its rejection of the BDS and all forms of anti-Semitism. We also appreciated the stance taken by El Pais, a leading Spanish newspaper, which opined in its editorial that, “It is absolutely unacceptable that in the Spain of the 21st century, individuals and organizations can still demand that somebody explain themselves in ideological terms in order to be able to exercise their profession, and takes us back to the dark days when everybody was required to prove their religiosity and purity of blood.” We hope that all educational, cultural and business organisations understand that the discrimination and bias represented by the BDS movement is hateful and unacceptable and must never be given any legitimacy.”
For more information, please contact Dr. Dvir Abramovich on, 9272-5677