Israeli DJ Dekel Kamyosky Responds to New Zealand Festival Cancellation
Israeli trance DJ Dekel Kamyosky addressed his New Zealand festival cancellation by focusing on music, after organizers dropped him over his refusal to condemn Israel.
Israeli trance DJ Dekel Kamyosky has broken his silence following the cancellation of his performance at the Twisted Frequency festival in New Zealand, which dropped him over his refusal to publicly condemn the war in Gaza City and Israel. In a social media post, Kamyosky chose to focus entirely on his music and a message of unity rather than engaging in the political controversy.
"In these complex times, I prefer to let the music speak," Kamyosky wrote, sharing a new musical set recorded alongside artist Shaman Shaman ahead of their upcoming collaborative album. "For more than a decade, I have been spreading love and connection around the world, and I will continue to do so forever." Alongside the post, he invited fans to immerse themselves in the soundscape, concluding with a simple message of affection.
The cancellation came after festival organizers admitted they initially booked the artist without conducting a thorough background check. While acknowledging that his past military service as an IDF commander was not the primary factor, organizers stated that his continued performances in Israel and his refusal to issue political statements led to their decision to drop him from the lineup.
Kamyosky, raised in Kibbutz Ga'aton in northern Israel, has established himself as a prominent figure on the global trance music scene, performing at major international festivals. The New Zealand festival defended its decision by adopting an explicit political stance, announcing plans to feature Palestinian flags and workshops while calling for the condemnation of Israeli government policies.
