UPDATE [8/19/15]: Rototom Sunsplash Reggae Festival officially offered a formal apology to Matisyahu, going so far as to invite the star to reclaim his performance slot should he choose to return. The statement says that the festival “rejects anti-Semitism” and “admits that it made a mistake.” Read the statement below:

A Rototom Sunsplash public institutional declaration regarding the cancellation of Matisyahu

1. Rototom Sunsplash rejects anti-Semitism and any form of discrimination towards the Jewish community; we respect both their culture as religious beliefs and we sincerely apologize for what has occurred, thereby rectifying point 4* in the previous release regarding this controversy.

2. Rototom Sunsplash would like to publicly apologize to Matisyahu for having cancelled his concert and invite him to perform at the festival next Saturday 22 August, as was initially programmed in the lineup.

3. Rototom Sunplash admits that it made a mistake, due to the boycott and the campaign of pressure, coercion and threats employed by the BDS País Valencià because it was perceived that the normal functioning of the festival could be threatened. All of which prevented the organization from reasoning clearly as to how to deal with the situation properly.

4. After 22 years of history, Rototom Sunsplash reaffirms its commitment to a Culture of Peace and respect between cultures, including the freedom of belief as recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Spanish Constitution.

* “Rototom Sunsplash, after having repeatedly sought dialogue given the unavailability of the artist for comment, in order to clearly declare himself regarding the war and in particular the right of the Palestinian people to have their own State, has decided to cancel the performance of Matisyahu scheduled for August 22”

******

It’s no secret that Matisyahu is Jewish. However, the acclaimed hip hop artist has intentionally avoided injecting his personal political message into his music, instead opting to spread a message of peace and love with his performances.

For that reason, it’s rather shocking that the Rototom Sunsplash Reggae Festival in Spain asked Matisyahu to write a statement or release a video supporting “the right of the Palestinian people to have their own State.” Apparently, Matisyahu’s Jewish presence was threatening to some of the other artists, thus prompting the festival to make such a request.

When Matisyahu refused, he was promptly removed from the lineup and replaced by reggae artist Etana.

Matisyahu explained the situation in Rolling Stone, saying:

I support peace and compassion for all people. My music speaks for itself, and I do not insert politics into my music. Music has the power to transcend the intellect, ideas and politics, and it can unite people in the process. The festival kept insisting that I clarify my personal views, which felt like clear pressure to agree with the BDS political agenda.

Honestly it was appalling and offensive, that as the one publicly Jewish-American artist scheduled for the festival, they were trying to coerce me into political statements. Were any of the other artists scheduled to perform asked to make political statements in order to perform? No artist deserves to be put in such a situation simply to perform his or her art. Regardless of race, creed, country, cultural background, etc., my goal is to play music for all people. As musicians, that is what we seek.

Meanwhile, the festival issued the following statement:

Rototom Sunsplash has demonstrated on numerous occasions its sensitivity regarding Palestine, its people and the occupation of their territories by Israel, as demonstrated by the holding of numerous debates in its Social Forum; giving voice to pro-Palestinian organizations, activists and initiatives that, while being a minority, also seek dialogue from Israel, together with the peaceful coexistence of both peoples…

After having repeatedly sought dialogue given the unavailability of the artist for comment, in order to clearly declare himself regarding the war and in particular the right of the Palestinian people to have their own State, has decided to cancel the performance of Matisyahu.

Regardless of your political agenda, this is a blatantly outrageous act. Keep uniting people with your music, Matisyahu.