Jewish-American singer Matisyahu has accused two music venues of anti-Semitism after the concert hall canceled his show at the last minute this week.
The Rialto Theater in Tuscon, Ariz., announced hours before Matisyahu’s Thursday concert was scheduled to begin, citing “safety concerns and staff shortages,” that it would issue refunds to all ticket holders.
“The safety of our employees and guests is always our top priority,” the theater shared in a Facebook post. “We are in the process of refunding all ticket holders. We apologize for the delay in notifying you of your cancellation.”
The company did not disclose what caused the safety concerns.
Venue Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, New Mexico, canceled Matisyahu’s Wednesday concert just an hour before it was scheduled to begin due to employee safety concerns over a planned protest. KOAT reported.
More than 150 staff members at the venue expressed safety concerns as both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters were expected to appear at the reggae performer’s sold-out concert, local reports said. It is being
Matisyahu accused both venue organizers of anti-Semitism and accused each venue’s staff of being reluctant to attend his shows.
“Tonight in Tucson, we offered to cover the staffing shortage at our own expense, to no avail,” he said in a statement to Mr. X on Thursday. “They do this either because they are anti-Semitic or because they confuse empathy for Palestinians with hatred for people like me who have empathy for both Israelis and Palestinians. It’s because I’m there.”
The newspaper has reached out to both the Rialto Theater and Meow Wolf for comment on the accusations.
Rialto Theater Executive Director Kathy Rivers said in a statement to FOX 10 that the decision to cancel Matisyahu’s performance was based solely on safety considerations.
“Let me be clear about this situation,” Rivers said. “The decision not to let Matisyahu play tonight was not made for political or religious reasons. This decision was made on the basis of safety. Temperatures varied that day and the tone was set by us. This escalated into concerns for the safety of patrons, staff, and the community.
“We have welcomed Matisyahu to the theater many times, but today was not the day to have him perform in the play. He has been paid in full and all ticket holders will receive a refund for their tickets. Is possible.”
Meow Wolf has not publicly responded to Matisyahu’s anti-Semitic claims. But some pro-Palestinian groups were overjoyed, forcing the venue to cancel the show after being flooded with calls and social media posts.
Matisyahu gave a speech and performed a song at the anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement against Israel) conference held at United Nations Headquarters in 2016. Israel a year ago.
Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber said there is no place for discrimination in the city following the cancellation.
“There is a big difference between protesting the Netanyahu government’s policies in Gaza and canceling a performance by a Jewish American artist in Santa Fe,” he said in a statement. “There is no excuse for anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, bigotry, bigotry, racism, and intolerance here, now, or ever.”
