JERUSALEM (JTA) — American indie rocker Devendra Banhart became the latest musician to cancel an appearance in Israel following political pressure.
Banhart on Monday night called off concerts in Tel Aviv scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
A message posted on the artist’s website read: "We love the land and people of Israel, and have been looking forward to our third show there with unimaginable anticipation. Unfortunately, we tried to make it clear that we were coming to share a human and not a political message but it seems that we are being used to support views that are not our own. We will be overjoyed to return to Israel on the day that our presence is perceived and reported on as a cultural event and not a political one. We truly hope that day comes soon."
This week’s shows would have been Banhart’s third visit to Israel.
Banhart joins such artists as Elvis Costello and the Pixies to cancel recent concerts in Israel.
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