Government backs artists who pulled out of Sónar over Israeli investment ties

The Catalan government has expressed support for the 28 artists who canceled their performances at this year's Sónar Festival due to the event's ties to the pro-Israeli investment fund KKR.

Government spokesperson Sílvia Paneque stated that the administration “supports limiting the spaces in which Israeli companies can operate and make a profit.”

Paneque also condemned Israel's actions in Gaza, saying that Benjamin Netanyahu's government had “crossed every line of what is acceptable.”

"We have seen children and women suffering from hunger. We believe there must be public expressions of rejection to the boundaries that have been crossed,” Paneque added.

The government's response follows Sónar organizers' confirmation that 28 artists withdrew from the festival due to its association with KKR, which partially owns the event.

Some of these artists who have renounced performing at Sónar are EYRA, oma totem, DJ Paca, Tiyumii, as well as Dania + Mau Morgó, DjSport, Emma dj, Forensis & Bill Kouligas, dj g2g, Heith, James K, Günseli Yalcinkaya & Andrea Belosi. Some were scheduled in the Sónar by Day and others in the Sónar by Night.

Sónar, as well as other music festivals acquired by KKR, have been mired in controversy over the last weeks as the pro-Israeli fund's involvement in the events has come to light.

The Barcelona-based festival was part of the Superstruct Entertainment company, which Providence Equity Partners sold to KKR and other investors in October last year. "This was a purely financial transaction in which we had no involvement, no say, and no vote," Sónar organizers wrote in a public statement online.

Sónar had already publicly distanced itself from the actions of the pro-Israeli investment fund KKR. However, many attendees had expressed their concerns and to "clarify" a number of points and respond to questions, Sónar prepared an FAQs page on their website.

KKR has financial ties with various Israeli companies, leading activist groups, including those aligned with the BDS movement, to argue that KKR's investments extend to companies that directly or indirectly support the Israeli military. KKR is also a major shareholder in firms that ultimately market real estate Israel's settlements on Palestinian territory that Amesty International describes as "illegal".