A jazz artist, who was scheduled to perform at a festival, backed out due to his advocacy for the last 50 hostages in Gaza, yet claims, “My intent isn’t political.”

David Hermlin, a Berlin-based swing musician, claims he is facing cancellation after being excluded from some of Europe’s leading jazz festivals and accused of intimidation at a meeting organized by a pro-Palestinian group. Despite this, Hermlin maintains that he did not harass or intimidate anyone, and he only asked two questions: where donations would be directed and what the meaning of an Arabic song used in choreography was. Hermlin also wore a yellow pin in solidarity with hostages still held in Gaza. He says the treatment reminds him of the McCarthy era and the exclusionary history of the swing world, but he vows to keep playing and advocacy for unity through music.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/jazz-musician-cancelled-supporting-50-remaining-hostages-gaza-festival-im-not-politician