
SHUT DOWN: Police Cancel Star-Studded Sultan’s Pool Concert Mid-Performance, Leaving Thousands Disappointed
[Videos below.] A major outdoor concert at Sultan’s Pool in Yerushalayim featuring some of the biggest names in Jewish music was brought to an abrupt halt tonight after Israel Police ordered organizers to end the event, despite thousands of fans packing the venue for what had been billed as one of the summer’s premier musical performances.
The concert featured Mordechai Ben David, the Miami Boys Choir, Shmulik Sukkot, and a surprise guest appearance by Yaakov Shwekey, accompanied by an orchestra conducted by Yoily Dikman.
The unexpected shutdown stunned concertgoers, many of whom had traveled from across Israel and abroad to attend the event. The performance had been underway for more than two hours when organizers were instructed to stop the show.
In a statement posted during the event, organizers said that after “we made history with a one-time performance” and despite “many agreements reached in advance with the Israel Police,” they had originally been told the show could continue until at least 11:15 p.m.
According to the organizers, “The officer in charge in the field suddenly ordered the performance stopped at 11:00 p.m., contrary to the agreements.”
They added that “it’s disappointing to bring an end to a huge performance after two-and-a-half hours of a giant show and without allowing the audience to enjoy the final quarter-hour and the concluding segment planned with the police.”
Organizers told Matzav.com that they had expected the police to show greater flexibility, especially since, according to them, the event was nearing its conclusion.
Audience members reacted with disappointment as the music stopped before the planned finale.
As of tonight, Israel Police had not publicly responded to the organizers’ claims regarding the decision to end the concert early.