The controversial Chanukah concert at London’s O2 Arena featuring Israeli singer Ishay Ribo has been cancelled.
Ticket-holders have been told that the cancellation of the concert, in aid of the Bedside Kosher hospital meals charity, was a result of “rising rates of Covid infection, lockdowns being imposed in parts of Europe and uncertainty regarding travel”.
However, it is suggested that ticket sales had been slow for the concert, which the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregation had said was “forbidden” because of mixed seating.
One purchaser told the JC that the organisers had been naive in attempting to fill 8,500 seats for a performance by a “relatively niche Israeli artist”. The purchaser also pointed out that the top price of £188 was more than the cost of the most expensive ticket when Elton John and other global stars played the Docklands venue. “It was a massively premium event.
