The Brussels district of Forest has canceled a planned Disturbed concert over what officials described as “security concerns” and public outrage surrounding the pro-Israel views of the band’s lead singer, David Draiman.
The show was scheduled for Oct. 15 at the Forest National Arena, but city authorities issued an official police order halting the event, the Belgian newspaper De Standaard reported.
Forest Mayor Charles Spapens said the decision followed a negative police assessment. “Given the sensitive location and the police’s negative opinion, it was my duty to make this decision,” he said. “My responsibility and priority are the safety of residents, neighbors, spectators, and staff.”
The American metal band has yet to issue a public response.
According to the report, local unions and organizations had planned to hold protests outside the venue, and police warned of a potential threat to public safety.
Last month, The Brussels Times revealed that Mayor Spapens had already tried to have the show canceled, calling Draiman’s presence a “moral problem.” “This is a man who signed a bomb that was dropped on Gaza,” he told the newspaper. “We do not support this artist’s presence, nor his stance on Gaza.”
Despite the order, tickets for the concert remained available for purchase as of press time.
‘I meant it, and I’d do it again’
Draiman, who is Jewish, drew international controversy last year after sharing a photo from an IDF base near the Gaza border, showing him signing a shell inscribed with the words “F** Hamas.”*
Following the backlash, he wrote: “Yes, I signed one shell at an IDF base near Gaza. It said ‘F*** Hamas.’ I meant it, and I’d do it again. The suggestion that this shell ‘killed children’ or ‘innocents’ is simply ridiculous.”
Draiman has long been one of the most vocal pro-Israel voices in the global rock scene. Earlier this year, he posted a message of condolence to Yarden Bibas, whose wife Yarden and sons Ariel and Kfir were murdered in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
“Dear Yarden, my brother, I share your pain deeply,” Draiman said in a February Instagram video. “All of Israel weeps with you today. Hold on to the memories of your beloved wife and children — as long as we hold them, they stay with us. Am Yisrael Chai, my brother — stay strong.”
In June, Draiman returned to Israel and met Bibas in person. Posting a photo together, he wrote: “Good to see my friend Yarden Bibas here in Israel. This man is the living embodiment of strength and perseverance — one of the sweetest and purest souls on the planet. Am Yisrael Chai.”
Disturbed is currently on a European tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of its 2000 debut album The Sickness, with Megadeth serving as the opening act.
Growing backlash against Israeli artists
The cancellation marks the latest in a string of controversies across Europe involving Israeli-affiliated artists.
Just last month, the Flanders Festival in Ghent canceled a performance by Israeli conductor Lahav Shani, who was slated to lead the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. Organizers said the decision was made because of Shani’s role as music director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, drawing sharp condemnation from officials in Germany and Belgium, who called the move anti-Semitic.
Shani later expressed regret over the politicization of the arts, saying, “Music is meant to unite people, not divide them.” Following the controversy, the orchestra was invited to perform at Berlin’s Musikfest instead.