According to Pink News, Ghadir Shafie, the co-founder of the Palestinian Feminist Center for Gender and Sexual Freedoms wrote an open letter to smith accusing the star of helping "prop up the false image of Israel as a modern, democratic society."
“It may sound benign, but it is what allows Israel to continue its wholesale theft of Palestinian life, land, and dignity.”
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel praised the gig's cancellation on Twitter saying: “Palestinians warmly welcome the news that @samsmith will not be performing in apartheid Israel, and avoiding artwashing or pinkwashing Israel’s oppression against Palestinians.”
The festival events of June 1, featuring Robbie Williams, Calum Scott, Martin Garrix and Israeli singer Static, are set to go ahead as planned.