Marseille Concert of Jewish Singer Cancelled for ‘Security Reasons’ After Pressure Campaign by Local Anti-Israel Group

A concert of French-Israeli singer Amir Haddad that had been scheduled for Sunday in Marseille was cancelled for “security reasons” following a pressure campaign led by a local activist group, the “Union Palestine Marseille” collective.

Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) Executive Director of European Affairs Shannon Seban decried the cancellation, posting on X, “Appalling. Outrageous. In my country, France, we’re at the point of canceling Jewish artists instead of protecting them. Yielding to intimidation from pro-Palestinian militants is an insult to our Republic and its values. It sends a disastrous message — bullies impose their will, and the victims pay the price.”

Consternant. Révoltant. Dans mon pays, en France, on en est à déprogrammer des artistes juifs au lieu de les protéger.

Céder à l’intimidation des militants pro-palestiniens est une insulte à notre République et à ses valeurs. C’est envoyer un message désastreux : les harceleurs… https://t.co/v9W7IVcG31

— Shannon Seban (@ShannonSeban) July 23, 2026

In letters to France’s minister of culture and minister of the fight against discrimination, Seban referred to both the cancelled concert and a recent incident in Grenoble in which French Jewish DJ Barbara Butch was forced off stage after protesters threw bottles and shouted antisemitic abuse at her during a performance.

“These events constitute a serious attack on artistic freedom and cultural freedom,” Seban noted. “I therefore urge you to launch, without delay, a national action plan to protect artists who are subjected to boycotts, intimidation, or threats, regardless of their religion or origin.”

Seban’s proposed plan includes:

— Reviewing public funding allocated to cultural associations and institutions to ensure that they are taking all necessary measures to prevent boycotts and safeguard artistic freedom.

— Strengthening the monitoring and tracking of boycott campaigns targeting cultural events under the authority of the Prefects, in coordination with local authorities and relevant government services.

— Reinforcing inter-ministerial coordination between the Ministries of Culture, Interior, and Justice to prevent such acts, ensure the protection and security of artists, and bring those responsible to justice;

— Providing enhanced support to event organizers facing intimidation campaigns.

Seban emphasized, “If we fail to act today, what will come next? Who will be the next to be censored, prevented from performing, or forced to withdraw under the pressure of intimidation campaigns? A democracy worthy of the name does not retreat in the face of antisemitism. It confronts it. It protects its victims.”

Read more:

French Jewish DJ Forced Off Stage After Antisemitic Assault at Grenoble Festival