Festival organisers have defended their decision, pointing to their refusal to invite both Palestinian and Israeli artists.
The members of a Palestinian band who were uninvited from Australia’s best-known celebration of world music, WOMADelaide, have criticised festival organisers and described the move as deeply problematic and disheartening.
The band, known as leading proponents of the Shamstep genre , was formed in Jordan in 2013 by Tareq Abu Kwaik, Ramzy Suleiman, Walaa Sbait and Hamza Arna and had previously played at the festival in 2016 and 2018. “WOMADelaide formed the view that the situation unfolding in the Middle East and the associated climate of community protests, division, and uncertainty surrounding the conflict at that time presented a real concern for the safety of all artists and audiences,” Mr Scobie said.
It’s unclear if festival organisers were concerned about any specific views held by members of the band, or whether the decision – like the decision not to invite an Israeli band – was made purely because of their nationality. “I’ve been at many actions and don’t understand how protests in Australia are so unsafe that 47SOUL should be uninvited?”
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