Jamaican News

World Jewish group sends Spain PM protest letter over cancellation of singer’s concert

.REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT) - RTR26ZH7
.REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT) – RTR26ZH7

MADRID _ The World Jewish Congress has written to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy protesting the cancellation of a concert by the Jewish American singer Matisyahu at a reggae festival after he declined to state his position regarding a Palestinian state.

Congress President Ronald S. Lauder called on Rajoy to condemn the cancellation and suggested revoking public funding of the Rototom Sunsplash festival.

Festival organizers said they cancelled the Aug. 22 concert because Matisyahu refused to state his positon regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the issue of a Palestinian state. He was the only artist asked to do so.

The decision came after a branch of the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement campaigned against Matisyahu’s participation.

The Jewish Congress released the letter Wednesday, a day after sending it to Rajoy.

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