Israeli musician Asher Swissa, also known as DJ Skazi, had his show at the Tomorrowland festival in Belgium canceled due to alleged security concerns, the artist confirmed in a social media post on Saturday.
“My show at Tomorrowland is canceled! I’m on my way back to Israel,” he shared in a Facebook post.
Swissa has participated in the Tomorrowland festival for 14 consecutive years and stated that he had high expectations for this year.
According to local media, the “security concerns” were raised after Belgian newspaper De Morgen criticized the Israeli DJ for performing in front of IDF soldiers.
The newspaper reported that DJ Skazi made comments about IDF soldiers and the ongoing war in Gaza during his last time at Tomorrowland. Belgian pro-Palestinian organization 11.11.11 was behind a push to ban Swissa and argued that his statements “condone genocide.”
“When an artist goes onstage today with the flag of an army actively committing genocide and proudly declares themselves part of an information war, that’s not innocent,” said 11.11.11 spokesperson Kenny Van Minsel. “Giving a platform to explicit military propaganda – especially in the context of genocide – isn’t neutrality; it’s taking a stand.”
A message of unity in Tomorrowland despite the drama
Before his show was canceled, DJ Skazi spoke out against these reports. “I’m aware that my upcoming performance at Tomorrowland has sparked some controversy in the Belgian media.”
“I want to be clear: every time I step on stage, my mission is to bring unity. In times like these, what we need most is connection – not division. Let’s allow Tomorrowland to remain what it was always meant to be: a place where people from all walks of life come together, not to argue, but to dance, to celebrate, and to feel the power of music.”
The newspaper also reported that the Tomorrowland organizers expressly asked DJ Skazi not to address the audience in Hebrew, so that they would understand what was being said.
Despite Swissa’s show getting canceled, there have been other positive moments for Israelis at the festival.
Lishi Amor, an Israeli who attended Tomorrowland, described an emotional encounter with Persian attendees and shared the challenges of representing Israel abroad amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
“Every year we face the same dilemma – whether to bring Israeli flags and wave them, or try not to stand out,” Amor told Walla. “We made the decision that no one will bring us down, and we’re coming as proud as can be.”
Amor said she attended the festival wearing body paint in blue and yellow to show her support for the hostages in Gaza.
“I painted a Star of David on the blue and a hostage symbol on the yellow,” she said. “Many people who aren’t from Israel ask me to paint on them.”
Yifat Rosenberg contributed to this report.