Algerian rai singer Cheb Khaled expressed his concern over a possible boycott of his concert scheduled to be performed in Lebanon “due to his pro Israel repeated stances.”
Khaled’s business manager, Down Eldir, said in a statement she issued in the United States, “ the Lebanese local papers published news reports about the possibility of boycotting the Beitiddine Festival’s Stadium Concert upon calls from Lebanese and regional political groups.”
But Eldir did not indicate in her statement to the reasons behind these threats.
However, Cheb Khaled sang along with the Israeli singer Noa last May in a conference about peace organized by Rome Mayor Walter Velroni and attended by the Israeli Foreign Minister, Shimon Peres.
The statement said, “Khaled is happy to be in Lebanon soon in order to participate in Beitiddine Festivals and to meet the Lebanese people closely. These people who succeeded with their steadfastness and resistance to put an end to the Israeli occupation.”
It added, “Khaled is still pro peace but as an Algerian and as an Arab he advocates a just peace that puts an end to every type of occupation and acknowledges the rights of the Palestinian people.”
Earlier this week, the Anti Zionist Cultural Invasion Permanent Conference demanded the Lebanese government to prevent the Algerian Rai singer Cheb Khaled from participation in Beitiddine Art Festivals due to his pro Israel repeated stances.
The conference called in a statement Sunday on the Minister of Culture and Information to intervene for halting Khaled’s participation in the festivals.
On July 3, the Jordanian Professional Associations called for boycotting Khaled’s concert due on July 18 as part of Souk Okath annual cultural festival.
The Jordanian daily al Rai cited Cheb Khaled as saying last week that he refuses normalization with Israel. “The Israelis are not my brothers,” added Khaled.
Commenting on the song he performed along with the Israeli singer, Khaled wondered, “What can be wrong with singing for peace?” -- Albawaba.com
