Friday March 29th, 2024
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Music Icons Cancel Israel Gigs

Rapper Cee-Lo Green and Metal band Megadeth have both cancelled gigs in Israel.

Staff Writer

Adding to the long list of musical acts who have cancelled or postponed concerts and appearances in Israel, rotund rapper Cee-Lo Green and Thrash Metal godfathers Megadeth have put the kibosh on planned concerts in the country amid the recent Gaza conflict that has left nearly 2,000 Palestinians dead, and thousands more injured and displaced. Megadeth singer Dave Mustaine said, in a statement on the band’s website: “The band was looking forward to this concert and is disappointed they will not be able to put on the show for their fans, but expects to return to Tel Aviv on their next international tour.” This comes as something of a shock, considering that Mustaine has often shown support to Israel, saying in a 2005 interview with the Jerusalem Post "I love Israel [...]We fell in love with the country and its people.”

Various other artists have cancelled concerts in the Jewish state, such as rock legend Neil Young, 90s boy band the Backstreet Boys, and prog rock outfit Kansas. Israel has been a popular destination for touring acts, with gigs by Lana Del Rey and Lady Gaga still planned to go on, but the recent flood of concert cancellations has been seen by some as a form of passive criticism by musicians against the ratcheting up of military activities in Gaza by the Israeli government.