Israel’s annual music showcase is struggling to attract international guests ahead of its November edition, with organisers citing a growing cultural boycott amid the genocidal war on Gaza.
The Israel Music Showcase Festival, held annually in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, expects to welcome half as many international guests as last year, according to Israeli media reports on Wednesday.
The festival, which connects Israeli musicians with international music industry professionals, receives backing from Israeli state institutions, including the Foreign Ministry’s Cultural Diplomacy Division, the Culture Ministry and the Jerusalem Municipality.
As the event prepares for its November edition, organisers have acknowledged the growing impact of the cultural boycott amid continued international condemnation of Israel’s devastating military campaigns in Gaza, Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East.
Hadas Vanunu, the festival’s artistic director, told Israeli media that around 30 international guests were expected to attend this year, half the number who travelled from abroad last year.
Vanunu described the anticipated turnout as “both surprising and not surprising”.
The growing cultural boycott comes amid recent backlash against UK rapper Russ Millions, who cancelled his scheduled performance at the Boomerang Music Festival in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
The rapper, known for hits including “Gun Lean” and “Body”, had been advertised as performing at the event.
His booking prompted criticism online, with fans and social media users questioning why a prominent British artist would perform in Israel amid its ongoing genocidal war on Gaza.
Russ Millions addressed the controversy during an Instagram Live session, saying: “If I was aware of any form of people killing, children or women I wouldn’t even have accepted any show.”
The growing international isolation of Israel’s music industry reflects a wider campaign by artists and cultural workers to oppose what they view as the normalisation of Israel’s actions against Palestinians through international cultural participation.
Long supported by pro-Palestine advocates, including the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, the campaign has gained greater visibility since Israel launched its assault on Gaza in October 2023.
Musicians have withdrawn from performances, filmmakers have pulled their work from Israeli festivals, and industry figures have urged cultural organisations to sever institutional ties with Israel.
Israel’s continued participation in the Eurovision Song Contest has also prompted a backlash, with the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Iceland and Slovenia withdrawing from the 2026 competition.
Israel’s inclusion has additionally sparked protests from critics opposing its participation.
Israel’s offensive has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza and killed more than 74,450 people, according to the territory’s health ministry.
Israeli forces have continued to carry out near-daily strikes on Gaza, with the health ministry reporting that at least 1,500 people have been killed in attacks since the ceasefire came into effect in October 2025.
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Navi Pillay, concluded that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.