Jewish American singer Matisyahu has alleged that music venues in Tucson, Arizona, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, abruptly canceled his scheduled performances due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. However, the venues have stated that the decision was based on safety concerns and staff shortages rather than political or religious reasons.

The 44-year-old singer, known for his unique blend of reggae and hip hop, expressed his frustration in a statement, suggesting that the cancellations were either driven by anti-Semitism or a misguided assumption that his empathy for both Israelis and Palestinians was a form of hatred. Matisyahu was set to perform at the Rialto Theatre in Tucson on Thursday and Meow Wolf in Santa Fe on Wednesday.

The Rialto Theatre announced the cancellation of Matisyahu's performance, citing safety concerns and staff shortages just hours before the show was scheduled to begin. Cathy Rivers, the executive director of the Rialto, emphasized that the decision was unrelated to politics or religion, but rather stemmed from genuine worries about the safety of patrons, staff, and the community. Ticket refunds were made available to all ticketholders, and Matisyahu has already been paid in full.

Similarly, Meow Wolf in Santa Fe attributed its decision to cancel the show to a lack of adequate staff to manage the expected crowd just two hours before the performance. The venue stressed its commitment to free expression, respectful discourse, and opposition to any form of discrimination or violence. Local reports indicated that the show was anticipated to draw protesters and counterprotesters due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

In response to the cancellations, Matisyahu took to Instagram to express his disappointment. He lamented the abandonment of dialogue with those who have differing perspectives and criticized the silencing of artistic expression through hate mongering. While apologizing to his fans in Santa Fe and Tucson, he reassured them that he and his band would continue moving forward, without responding to hate with more hate.

To make up for the canceled shows, Matisyahu announced a free performance at The Rock in Tucson on Thursday night, where he also aimed to raise funds to support the efforts to return hostages held by Hamas. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has sparked protests across the United States, with reports of increased incidents of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber publicly criticized the cancellation of Matisyahu's show, noting the distinction between protesting government policies and shutting down an artistic performance by a Jewish-American artist in Santa Fe.

As the controversy surrounding the cancellations unfolds, Matisyahu remains determined to continue spreading his message of unity and understanding through his music.