MTV stopped on Thursday its Europe Music Awards ceremony, scheduled to be held in Paris on November 5, citing the ongoing and tragic events in Israel and Gaza.
“As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration,” the organizers said in a statement. “With thousands of lives already lost, it is a moment of mourning.”
Prominent artists such as David Guetta, Jung Kook (of BTS), and Thirty Seconds to Mars were scheduled to perform at the annual event.
Paramount Global, the organizers, explained that they made the decision ‘out of an abundance of caution’ for the safety and well-being of the numerous individuals involved in making the show a reality, including employees, crew members, artists, fans, and partners who come from various parts of the world.
France, with its significant Muslim and Jewish communities, has been on high alert since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. Additionally, a teacher’s killing on Friday in France, claimed by an individual purporting to act on behalf of the Islamic State extremist group, has added to security concerns.