The Israeli flag was removed from the stage during a performance by Israeli DJ Asher Swissa (Skazi) in Toronto; the Israeli club manager, later apologized for the aggressive manner in which it was taken down.
Swissa was playing a music set at a party in Canada with an Israeli flag being displayed on stage. However, midway through the performance, a local security guard approached and took the flag down. The event, organized by an Israeli entertainer was primarily aimed at the Israeli audience, but the event manager said partygoers from around the world were also in the audience.
Skazi with Israeli flag in Toronto show
"One of the security guards came and took the flag. I'm not used to this kind of thing," Skazi told Ynet, although he clarified that he doesn't believe it was an anti-Israel act. "The person who booked me for the show is an Israeli who manages the venue. They prefer there to be no flags at all, regardless of which country they represent. They have a policy against flags, keeping the music separate from politics."
"The guard was aggressive in how he took the flag," the DJ recounted. "I'm not used to having my flags taken down, but it seems this is the policy: the music is separate from politics. But I'm Skazi, and Asher Swissa. With or without a flag, I’m from Israel."
Golan, the event organizer and club manager, explained that this was the venue's overall policy. "The situation in the world isn’t great — Israel, Ukraine, Russia. Flags weren’t supposed to appear at all. There are Arabs, Persians, Chinese, Indians and Brazilians in Canada."
However, he did apologize for the way the flag was removed. "I saw the video and it looked aggressive. That’s not what we intended to happen; I’m really sorry that it occurred. I bring in Israeli artists and I’m proud that he’s Israeli. I just don’t want anyone to have problems here; we don’t want people to end up in uncomfortable situations."
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