The Spanish government condemned on Tuesday a Spanish reggae festival's decision to cancel a concert by an American Jewish musician after he failed to reply to a demand to clarify his position on Palestinian statehood.
[MORE: Matisyahu's comments on the concert controversy]
The cancellation of Matisyahu at the week-long Rototom Sunsplash festival in eastern Spain – following pressure from supporters of sanctions against Israel over its policies toward Palestinians – prompted protests by Jewish groups.
Spain said it rejected boycott campaigns and any sign of anti-Semitism, while reiterating its support for an independent Palestinian state through bilateral negotiations.
“Imposing a public declaration (from Matisyahu), puts into question the principle of non-discrimination on which all plural and diverse societies are based,” the Spanish foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
Matisyahu, who fuses reggae, hip-hop and rock with Jewish influences in his songs, had been due to perform at Rototom in Benicassim, Valencia, next Saturday.
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