Singer–songwriter Sam Smith announced there would no longer be a performance at Tel Aviv, Israel’s Park Hayarkon later this month after receiving pressure from pro-Palestinian groups. While activists are taking credit for the move, others say it was simply an unrelated cancellation.
The cancellation is the product of “unforeseen technical and logistical problems on May 31,” the production company responsible for Smith’s performance at the “Summer in the City Festival” said, according to a report.
BUD LIGHT SALES NOSEDIVE AS ANHEUSER-BUSCH IS ASKED TO REAFFIRM DYLAN MULVANEY SUPPORT
Prior to the cancellation announcement, the artist was on the receiving end of heavy pressure from pro-Palestinian groups, including the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement, to not perform in Israel.
The hashtag #SamDontGo went viral on social media, along with many tweets demanding that Smith not perform.
“As a Sam Smith fan, I’m joining Palestinians, fellow Jews, LGBTQIA+ and all human rights defenders in asking @samsmith to choose the right side of history and not pinkwash Israeli apartheid by performing in Tel Aviv. #SamDontGo,” one commentator tweeted.
As a Sam Smith fan, I’m joining Palestinians, fellow Jews, LGBTQIA+ and all human rights defenders in asking @samsmith to choose the right side of history and not pinkwash Israeli apartheid by performing in Tel Aviv. #SamDontGo pic.twitter.com/XMbc0SKbOw
— Rafael Shimunov (@rafaelshimunov) April 13, 2023
A petition calling on Smith to reconsider the concert in Tel Aviv received over 11,000 signatures, a report noted.
“We were disappointed to hear that you plan to perform in Tel Aviv as part of the festival and we ask you to reconsider. When you perform in Israel, you risk condoning the daily violence and oppression against the Palestinian people,” the petition read.
11000+ are calling on @samsmith to cancel their gig in apartheid Israel and stand in solidarity with Palestinian queers and all Palestinians fighting for their human rights and dignity.#SamDontGo
Add your name: https://t.co/5TELjIZpAb pic.twitter.com/MyZU0FJgRy
— PACBI (@PACBI) May 4, 2023
“11,000+ are calling on @samsmith to cancel their gig in apartheid Israel and stand in solidarity with Palestinian queers and all Palestinians fighting for their human rights and dignity,” the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel tweeted.
However, Creative Community for Peace, a nonprofit entertainment industry organization that stands against the BDS movement, claimed this was not a win for the boycott of Israel.
“The BDS movement never misses an opportunity to cynically insert politics into regular business affairs,” it said in a statement.
The group reiterated that Smith’s cancellation was “due to technical and logistical issues, a common occurrence in the world of live entertainment.”
The BDS movement never misses an opportunity to cynically insert politics into regular business affairs.
Sam Smith’s concert in Israel was recently cancelled by the promoter due to technical and logistical issues, a common occurrence in the world of live entertainment. It’s… pic.twitter.com/Tn2yxypXpg
— Creative Community for Peace (@CCFPeace) May 5, 2023
The organization noted that “it’s unrelated to any political movement.”
Notably, Smith’s was not the only performance canceled. According to a report, the production company canceled the entire first day of concerts set to take place on May 31.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
In the wake of Smith’s cancellation, many pro-Israel supporters have condemned the singer’s decision, despite the production company’s claim that it was due to logistics.
Sam Smith, it’s a shame you give in to the lies of an anti-Israeli campaign.
I really hope that no one in Israel will listen to your music again. Those who boycott us should be boycotted back!@samsmith pic.twitter.com/dqdO4sQGVE— יוסף חדאד – Yoseph Haddad (@YosephHaddad) May 5, 2023
“Sam Smith, it’s a shame you give in to the lies of an anti-Israeli campaign. I really hope that no one in Israel will listen to your music again. Those who boycott us should be boycotted back!” one user tweeted.
