Turkish authorities have canceled British singer Robbie Williams’ Istanbul concert scheduled for October 7th, citing “safety concerns” after sustained pressure from pro-Hamas activists and NGOs. The Islamic Solidarity Platform and other groups called for protests under the slogan “Zionist Robbie Williams, get out of Turkey!”
The concert coincided with the second anniversary of the Hamas-led invasion and massacre in southern Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and left 251 hostages, sparking the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Williams—whose wife is Jewish—has faced criticism in Turkey for performing in Israel in 2015 and 2023, despite being targeted by pro-Palestinian campaigns. During his 2023 Tel Aviv performance, he highlighted his family’s Jewish heritage and displayed a tattoo reading “simcha” (happiness in Hebrew).
Bubilet, the ticketing company, confirmed the cancellation at the request of the Istanbul Governor’s Office. Williams claimed that the decision was “beyond our control” and stressed that the safety of his fans comes first, expressing disappointment over the forced cancellation.
This incident mirrors a similar case last month when Turkish authorities banned a concert by French-Jewish singer Enrico Macias over his pro-Israel views. Israeli and pro-Israel artists increasingly face hostility in parts of Europe as radical pro-Hamas groups attempt to intimidate performers who support Israel.
Williams had planned to end his European tour in Turkey, citing personal and family ties to the country, but political pressure from Hamas-aligned groups prevented the show from going ahead.
