Singer and rapper Matisyahu has blamed anti-Semitism and ‘hate speech’ for the forced cancellation of two consecutive concerts after employees refused to come to work.
The 44-year-old, whose real name is Matthew Paul Miller, has combined reggae and rock with spiritual themes over a two-decade career, including a Top 40 hit in 2005’s ‘King Without a Crown’.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Matisyahu concerts were canceled at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Rialto Theater in Tucson, Arizona.
Multiple left-wing and anti-Israel groups in New Mexico took credit for canceling Wednesday’s show, and also credited the “Meow Wolf Workers Collective” — which spoke out in favor of a ceasefire — for running away.
After the Rialto Theater issued a statement saying that “safety concerns” and “staff shortages” were behind the cancellation of Thursday’s show, Matisyahu took to social media to blame anti-Semitism, given his outspoken pro-Israel views .
Singer and rapper Matisyahu blames anti-Semitism and ‘hate speech’ for canceling two consecutive concerts after employees refused to come to work
Multiple left-wing and anti-Israel groups in New Mexico took credit for canceling Wednesday’s show, and also credited the “Meow Wolf Workers Collective” — which spoke out in favor of a ceasefire — for running away
Cathy Rivers, director of Rialto, said the decision was based purely on safety concerns
“To my fans: My band and I were supposed to play a sold-out show last night at the Meow Wolf in Santa Fe and we were excited about tonight’s show at the Rialto Theater in Tucson. Instead, staff refused to work at these locations, forcing cancellations,” he wrote.
The rapper added that he had offered to pay for replacement staff himself, but was denied.
“They do this because they are either anti-Semitic or have confused their empathy for the Palestinian people with hatred for someone like me, who has empathy for both Israelis and Palestinians,” he added.
“It is truly a sad day when dialogue with those you disagree with is abandoned for the sake of sowing hatred and silencing artistic expression.”
He later announced a free show Thursday evening at another location in the city, which would raise money to bring Israeli hostages home.
The coalition of left-wing, anti-Israel activists wrote in a statement that Matisyahu ‘is an outspoken supporter of the genocidal campaign against Palestinians in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.’
They quote statements he has previously made on social media and in interviews, including posting a meme that reads: “Your pronouns won’t stop jihadists from breaking into your home.”
Reference was also made to an interview with Newsweekwhere he stated: ‘I would like to see any terrorist, Hamas, or person who believes that Israel has no right to exist or that the Jews have no right to exist, I would like to see Israel destroy those people.’
The 44-year-old, whose real name is Matthew Paul Miller, has combined reggae and rock with spiritual themes over a two-decade career, including a Top 40 hit in 2005’s ‘King Without a Crown’.
After the Rialto Theater issued a statement saying “safety issues” and “staff shortages” were behind the cancellation of Thursday’s show, Matisyahu took to social media to blame anti-Semitism.
Matisyahu announced a free show later on Thursday evening at another location in the city, which would raise money for bringing Israeli hostages home
Cathy Rivers, director of Rialto, said the decision was based purely on safety concerns.
‘Let me be very clear about this situation. The decision not to have Matisyahu play tonight was not made over politics or religion. This decision was made on the basis of safety. The temperature of the day changed and the tone was not set by us,” she said the Arizona Republic.
“We have hosted Matisyahu in our theater many times, but today was not the day to have him play,” she added. “It has been paid in full and ticket refunds are available to all ticket holders.”
There has been a swift backlash from activists and venues on both sides of the aisle on social media.
Native Arizonan Meghan McCain wrote on X: “The people of my beloved home state of Arizona should be ashamed of this shame. The good people of Tucson should be ashamed of this – and everyone needs to make this right @matisyahu and all Jewish Arizonans.”
She also offered to help him book a new show and assured him that the views of “ignorant, ugly, anti-Semitic people” did not represent Arizona.
Democrat Congressman Ritchie Torres also denounced the protesters and locations.
There has been a swift backlash against activists and venues on both sides of the aisle on social media, including Arizona native Meghan McCain
Democrat Congressman Ritchie Torres also denounced the protesters and locations
On Wednesday and Thursday, Matisyahu concerts were canceled at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, New Mexico (photo) and the Rialto Theater in Tucson, Arizona
“Matisyahu, a Jewish musician, had his performance canceled simply because anti-Israel staffers boycotted his performance, which had nothing to do with Israel. A textbook example of anti-Zionism turning into anti-Semitism,” he wrote.
“Since when is performing while Jewish a reason for cancellation in America? America’s anti-Israel cancel culture at work.”
Matisyahu expressed his statements on social media by saying that he and his band “will perform songs that celebrate unity, peace and perseverance, and we will connect with our fans through the sacredness of shared music, which has always brought people together.”
“Preventing fans of all ethnic and religious backgrounds from singing together in Santa Fe or Tucson does not bring peace. In fact, it does the opposite,” he said, adding an apology at the end of his statement.
As of Thursday evening, his replacement show at Tucson’s The Rock was still expected to go on.