The American Reggae singer Matisyahu, a Jewish guest artist at the Festival of Reggae Rototom in Benicàssim (Spain) was deprogrammed because he had refused to sign a statement of support to the Palestinians that the organizers demanded of him under pressure from the BDS Spain. His refusal to give in to the blackmail resulted in his exclusion on the accusations of him being a "Zionist" and "supporter of Israel". There is reason to believe that BDS had demanded that statement as he was the only Jewish artist scheduled to perform.
This is has happened despite the singer being known for his pacifism and his calls for coexistence among peoples. He has repeatedly emphasized the need to keep politics away from music. BDS-Spain was well aware that he had made no inflammatory statements and does not support the colonization or the Israeli extreme right. That is why the deprogramming took place on the smallest pretext arising from his refusal to issue a statement as demanded by BDS.
Matisyahu explains clearly the profoundly discriminatory and anti-Semitic nature of these acts:
"The festival organizers contacted me because they were getting pressured by the BDS movement. They wanted me to write a letter, or make a video, stating my position on Zionism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to pacify the BDS people. I am in support of peace and compassion for all people. My music speaks for itself, and I do not insert politics into my music. Music has the power to transcend the intellect, ideas, and politics, and it can unite people in the process. The festival kept insisting that I clarify my personal views. I felt clear pressure to agree with the BDS political agenda. It was appalling and offensive. They were trying to coerce me into making political statements. If it were another artist in my place would they have been asked to make political statements in order to perform? No artist deserves to be put in such a position simply to perform his or her art. Regardless of race, creed, country, cultural background, etc., my goal is to play music for all people. "
The exclusion of Matisyahu by the BDS only reveals its true nature: an extremist movement and Manichean pushing its supporters to take to individuals simply because they are Jews and according to them a priori "Zionists" unless proven otherwise. Leaders and members of the BDS have stated that they don’t attack individuals but institutions, but in this case they aimed at an artist for simply being a Jew.