Matisyahu and Neta Barzilai/photo: Public Relations
American Jewish singer and musician Matthew Paul Miller, known by his stage name Matisyahu, canceled a show in Chicago due to threats of pro-Palestinian demonstrations there.
This is what he wrote on social networks.
"Dear fans, I am sad to write to you that our show at the 'House of Blues' in Chicago, for which all tickets were sold, has been canceled due to threats of protests," he wrote on Instagram.
While the details surrounding this decision are still unclear and while everyone is throwing responsibility at each other, I can assure you that my security team, which was alert and vigilant about what was happening in the city, did not receive any threats of violence." Matisyahu also wrote that since the venue paid him for a cancellation, He will donate all proceeds to the abducted headquarters "for the sake of the women and girls who are still in captivity" as well as to the rescue union. In the end he wrote: "Although my fans and I are very hurt by this, we will not allow these thugs to put pressure on us.
We will continue to stand tall in the face of hatred."
deserve to support
Matthias/Sam Sears
Two months ago Matisyahu performed at Redding 3 Club in Tel Aviv - and all proceeds were donated to the Kidnapped Headquarters.
During the performance Matisyahu hosted Neta Barzilai.
As mentioned, Matisyahu arrived two months ago for a solidarity visit to Israel, during which he also toured the Gaza Envelope, visited hospitals and appeared in front of soldiers who left Gaza.
His performance, which aims to raise awareness and raise funds for the headquarters of the abductees, took place after quite a few of his past visits to Israel, collaboration with a number of local artists and expressing support for Israel in the world.
When he appeared in Spain, the BDS movement tried to prevent his appearance and he responded by waving the Israeli flag on stage in front of protesters and singing "Jerusalem".
Since his breakthrough in 2005 as an Orthodox-religious reggae singer, he has had time to go through various vicissitudes both musically and in belonging to the ultra-orthodox community.
In December 2011, he posted a picture on his Facebook profile in which he appears without a beard and wrote that he is no longer a "Chassidic reggae superstar".
He then said in an interview that this is a process of "religious maturation" and that he is "still loyal to Judaism and the search for truth within the framework of Halacha and keeping the mitzvot."
However, in 2012 he began performing without a cap.
After October 7, he appeared at a rally for the return of the abductees in Washington and performed on campuses and Jewish centers throughout the United States.
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