Israel
Portuguese music festival cancelled after BDS campaign against Israeli organisers
Local authorities reportedly blamed the risk of wildfires, but the event’s staff claim local pressure was behind the move
August 29, 2025 09:38
Local authorities reportedly blamed the risk of wildfires, but the event’s staff claim local pressure was behind the move
August 29, 2025 09:38The Israeli organisers of a music festival in Portugal have claimed their event was shut down by police following a lengthy BDS campaign.
The Anta Gathering, a five-day "psychedelic journey", had been due to kick off today at a mountaintop retreat in the country.
But a post on the event's social media page confirmed its cancellation, saying: "In the last days, we faced a well-funded and orchestrated BDS campaign built on lies and hatred.
"For months, they worked to sabotage our vision, spreading disinformation fuelled by money and nationalism. Their goal was never about music or community, but only to divide, intimidate and cause pain.
"The damage has been devastating and made it impossible to move forward.
"You came to celebrate life, music, and connection—and instead we're forced to cancel.”
Police are yet to comment but Portuguese media have reported that officials have pointed to the use of pyrotechnics in the show during the wildfire season as justification for the decision.
The local council in the area where the festival was due to be held currently has an active red alert for fire risk displayed on its website.
The municipality of São Pedro do Sul added that it would not issue a licence to the event due to “the large amount of combustible material” in the area.
But Anta alleged that authorities had imposed extra regulations on the festival due to BDS pressure.
Pro-Palestinian activists are thought to have targeted organiser Shahar Bickel, claiming that he served as an IDF reservist after the October 7 attacks.
Sharing a picture of Bickel in IDF uniform, BDS Portugal wrote: "Anyone who has served in the Israeli armed forces during the period of genocide... is participating in Israel’s genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people.
"Not being in Gaza doesn't make it any less genocidal. Would anyone in their right mind claim that SS members who were not deployed to Auschwitz were less Nazis?"
Anta, though, has denied this, saying: "We are not soldiers...None of the members of our production team has ever been in Gaza or taken part in the killing of human beings."
Echoing the Nova Festival, organisers added: "This is not the end.
"Anta is about love, freedom, and community, and no campaign of hate will ever destroy that. With your support, we will heal, rebuild and dance together again."
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