Forest mayor cancels Disturbed show over Draiman Israel support

The mayor of Forest, a municipality in Brussels, has issued a police order cancelling Disturbed’s scheduled concert at Forest National on Wednesday, October 15, citing public safety concerns tied to the band’s lead singer David Draiman’s public support for Israel and warnings that his appearance could provoke large demonstrations. Mayor Charles Spapens said the decision followed a police risk assessment and reflected the venue’s location in a residential area, as well as the timing near a planned national strike and other demonstrations.

“My priority and responsibility are the safety of the residents, spectators, demonstrators, and staff at Forest National,” Spapens said. “Given the police’s unfavorable assessment after a risk analysis and the venue’s location, it was my duty to make this decision.” Local authorities told organizers that the assessment indicated a realistic risk of disruptive or violent protests around the site if the concert proceeded.

The controversy centers on a photo Draiman posted in June 2024 from an Israeli Defence Forces base showing him signing ordnance with an expletive directed at Hamas. The image resurfaced this year amid online exchanges between...