The Unholy hitmaker had been set to perform as part of the Summer In The City on May 31, but now the whole day has been scrapped with the event only taking place on June 1 with the likes of Robbie Williams on the bill.
In a statement as reported by The Jerusalem Post, festival organisers said: ‘The festival concerts of June 1 will continue as planned.
‘Those who bought tickets are welcome to contact the company they bought the tickets from for a full refund.
‘People who bought tickets for both days of the festival who want to keep the ticket for the second day will be refunded 25% of the ticket price or cancel it and get a full refund.’
Nuna and Papa Roach had also been previously announced to perform at the event. Sam is yet to comment on the cancellation, while the organisers are yet to specify the exact reason for the change.
It would have marked Sam’s first time performing in Israel, but news they were on the bill was previously met with fierce backlash.
The hashtag #SamDontGo spreading on social media, with fans calling on them to not take part in the event.
In a letter to Sam, Ghadir Shafie – the co-founder of Aswat, a Palestinian feminist centre for gender and sexual freedoms – also urged them not to perform.
Shafie wrote that ‘despite intentions, helps prop up the false image of Israel as a modern, democratic society’, adding: ‘It may sound benign, but it is what allows Israel to continue its wholesale theft of Palestinian life, land, and dignity.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted a representative of Sam Smith for comment.
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