[IsraelTimes] Anta Gathering, a five-day music festival organized by Israelis scheduled to kick off today in central Portugal, was shut down by local police following a campaign by BDS Portugal.
The organizers announce the cancellation on social media.
“In the last days, we faced a well-funded and orchestrated BDS campaign built on lies and hatred,” they write. “For months, they worked to sabotage our vision, spreading disinformation fueled by money and nationalism. Their goal was never about music or community, but only to divide, intimidate and cause pain. The damage has been devastating and made it impossible to move forward.”
The event, advertised as a “psychedelic journey,” was organized by two Israeli brothers to be held at a mountaintop retreat owned by their Israeli cousin.
The festival producers say they will refund anyone who requests it, but ask people to consider not canceling their ticket or requesting a full refund in order to help them pay suppliers, legal and other expenses.
“Anta is about love, freedom and community — and no campaign of hate will ever destroy that,” write the organizers. “With your support, we will heal, rebuild, and dance together again,” the last words a reference to the Nova desert rave attacked by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023.
The organizers said yesterday that they had been hit with additional regulations and bureaucracy by local authorities just before the start of the festival, which they blamed on BDS pressure and threats aimed at canceling the event. 
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