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A third Matisyahu concert has been canceled in response to the threat of pro-Palestinian protests, the Jewish-American reggae musician shared on his Instagram on Friday afternoon.
The show was scheduled for Friday night at House of Blues Chicago.
“Although my fans and I are deeply hurt by this, please know that we will not cower before these bullies and the pressure they exert,” Matisyahu wrote.
The cancellation comes three weeks after the artist canceled his concerts in Tucson, Arizona and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Both venues for those shows cited staff shortages and security concerns after being attacked by protesters, who said Matisyahu’s history of performing for Israeli soldiers and pro-Israel groups in the United States should disqualify him from performing.
Matisyahu is known for his peace anthem “One Day,” which he performed at the massive pro-Israel rally in Washington, DC in November.
“While the true details surrounding this decision remain opaque, and while all responsible parties point fingers at each other for the decision; “I can assure you that there have been no threats of violence received from our security team who have been attentive to knowing what is happening in each city,” Matisyahu wrote on his Instagram on Friday about the Chicago show.
Matisyahu said the venue had paid her for the cancellation and that she would donate the proceeds to the Hostage and Missing Families Forum “to help the families of the hostages and in honor of International Women’s Day to recognize the women and girls who are still They are held captive by Hamas. ”and to the United Hatzalah Israel emergency medical service.
Matisyahu has faced a series of cancellations and security issues.
In response to pro-Palestinian protests after the first two concerts were cancelled, Jewish heavy metal musician David Draiman, leader of the band Disturbed, organized a fundraiser to pay for Matisyahu’s security costs.
“The ramifications of such tactics go beyond me and the Jewish people,” Matisyahu wrote about the cancellation of the Chicago concert. “These individuals and the organizations that crumble under their pressure threaten the foundations of artistic expression, intellectual honesty, and empathy between people with different points of view and concerns. We will continue giving shows. And we will always stand firm against hate and march towards the true goal of long-term peace for all.”
Matisyahu has faced protests even in places where his shows went ahead as planned. The artist’s next scheduled performance is Saturday night in Detroit, home to large Jewish and Muslim communities and the epicenter of a growing political protest movement against the Biden administration’s support for Israel.