Matisyahu (Photo: Reuters)
WATCH: Matisyahu faces protest in Spain concert
Reggea artist defiantly performs 'Jerusalem' to crowd of festival goers waving Palestinian flags, calls event 'difficult but special.'
American Jewish reggea artist Matisyahu faced opposition from pro-Palestinian protesters during his latest concert on Sunday in Spain at a venue where his appearance had previously been cancelled
after he refused demands to clarify his polical opinion on the creation of a Palestinian state.
The concert passed off peacefully after a tense build-up, but Matisyahu had to keep a cool head amid catcalls and whistles of disapproval as dozens in the crowd waved massive palestinian flags.
Matisyahu live in Spain
In a Facebook post after the event, Matisyahu called the "difficult but special."
Despite the unfriendly welcome from some in the crowd, the artist closed his 45-minute set with a universal message for his audience. "Whoever you are and wherever you come from raise a flag and wave it in the air. Let music be your flag."
Organizers were forced into a U-turn after an outcry following the initial cancellation of Matisyahu's appearance, with the Spanish government and Jewish organizations condemning the decision, and invited the artist to play on the last night of the week-long festival.
Matisyahu, whose real name is Matthew Miller, earlier this week condemned the attempt to "coerce (him) into political statements" and said politics played no part in his music.
Matisyahu live in Spain
Matisyahu, whose real name is Matthew Miller, earlier this week condemned the attempt to "coerce (him) into political statements" and said politics played no part in his music.
The campaign to eject Matisyahu was led by the Valencia branch of the BDS group, which opposes Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and campaigns against groups and individuals over their links to Israel.
It had urged a boycott of the American Jewish musician after objecting to comments he had previously made, including in an interview where they said he had questioned the existence of a country called Palestine.
Reuters contributed to this report.
