Robbie Williams Istanbul concert cancelled as security fears grow over anti-Israel protests
Authorities pull plug on final tour date after backlash linking pop star to Israel performances and Jewish family ties
Robbie Williams has cancelled his Istanbul concert after local authorities cited “security concerns”, following an online backlash over his past performances in Israel and his family’s Jewish heritage.
The British singer was due to perform at Ataköy Marina on 7 October, in what would have been the final night of his world tour. Turkish officials confirmed the event had been called off “in the interests of public safety” after activists accused Williams of being a “Zionist” and called for protests.
Williams, 51, has previously faced criticism from pro-Palestinian groups for performing in Tel Aviv in 2015, and again in 2023. His wife, actress Ayda Field, is the daughter of a Turkish Muslim father and an American Jewish mother. The couple have spoken openly about raising their four children in the Jewish faith.
In a statement to fans on Instagram, Williams expressed regret at the cancellation, writing: “The last thing I would ever want to do is jeopardise the safety of my fans – their safety and security come first. To end this tour in front of my Turkish fans was my dream, given the close connections my family has with this wonderful country.”
The decision follows a similar move last month when Turkish officials cancelled a planned performance by French singer Enrico Macias, citing fears of demonstrations linked to his public support for Israel.
Williams’ Istanbul date was expected to draw thousands of fans and close a run of shows that have attracted more than 1.2 million people worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
