Denver, CO, October 16, 2015 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL)  honored the Jewish American reggae artist Matisyahu for his courageous stand after an attempt to cancel his appearance at a music festival because of his support for Israel. As noted in the Boulder Jewish News, the American Jewish musician refused to comply with the demand of organizers of a Spanish reggae festival held earlier this year that he alone among all the invited performers issue a statement supporting Palestinian statehood and decrying “Israeli war crimes.”

ADL National Director Jonathan Greenblatt presented an award to Matisyahu for “having the courage to stand up against those forces of ignorance and intolerance.”

“When everything was happening in Spain, you guys were the first to speak out, so thank you,” Matisyahu said in accepting the honor.

The artist performed two songs, including “Jerusalem.”