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August 24, 2017 2:30 pm
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BDS Pressure Prompts Artists to Withdraw From Berlin’s Pop-Kultur Festival

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avatar by JNS.org

The crowd at Berlin’s Pop-Kultur festival. Photo: Pop-Kultur via Facebook.

JNS.org – Several artists withdrew from Berlin’s Pop-Kultur festival this week after learning that the Israeli Embassy in Germany contributed 500 euros ($590) in funding for the event.

The Aug. 23-25 festival features more than 70 events, including live musical acts, exhibitions and talks. The artists’ withdrawals followed a statement released by the festival’s organizers citing “immense pressure on all Arab artists” from the anti-Israel BDS movement.

Four Arab artists from Arab countries — including Abu Hajar, Emel Mathlouthi, Islam Chipsy & EEK, and Hello Psychaleppo — cancelled their performances “due to the partnership of the Israeli Embassy with the festival,” Pop-Kultur organizers said.

The Scottish band Young Fathers also announced its withdrawal, tweeting on Wednesday, “Due to the addition of the Israeli governments [sic] logo to the list of partners and in solidarity with the Palestinian people, Young Fathers regrettably will not be performing at Pop Kultur festival in Berlin this week.”

While leading artists routinely receive BDS pressure to cancel their shows in Israel, big-name musical acts were held as planned in the Jewish state throughout this summer, including Justin Bieber, Aersomith, Britney Spears, Guns N’ Roses and Radiohead.

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