Jewish reggae star Matisyahu reflects on tumultous year, says anti-Israel protesters attracted to ‘darkness’ of Hamas

nypost.com:

by anti-Israel mobs, reggae star Matisyahu says the backlash over his support for the Jewish state hasn’t slowed him down at all.

In fact, the 45-year-old Jewish performer says he’s “busier than ever.”“The Jewish community has been really appreciative and I’ve felt inspired by it,” the pop star, whose birth name is Matthew Miller, told The Post on the deck of his rustic upstate New York home overlooking the Hudson River.Matisyahu admitted it hasn’t been all peaches and cream — he’s had concerts in Arizona, New Mexico and Chicago canceled after anti-Israel demonstrators threatened to picket the venues.

He was also dropped by his manager after he refused to change the lyrics to his song “Ascent,” which contains phrases about dancing on Hamas terrorists’ graves. “We’re living in a time where I have to make decisions, like ‘do I need to bring security’. … It’s a dangerous place but luckily for me it’s been a smooth run,” he said.The reggae star — known for the Top 40 hit in the US “King Without a Crown” — also says that young people are attracted to the “darkness” of Hamas. “It’s very sexy [to them] … these terrorists are ‘freedom fighters’ and whatever happens to ‘the oppressor.’ … they have it coming to them,” he said about Hamas’ appeal. “There’s something very tantalizing about it, the darkness of it, but the Jewish people are light.”But his diverse group of fans have stuck with him throughout the tumultuous year since Hamas’ Oct.

7 attacks that killed 1,200 unsuspecting Israelis at a music festival, Matisyahu said. For his Jewish followers, his concerts have become a refuge.“I’ve always felt my music serves a purpose, but now more than ever,” he told The Post. “The protests have been difficult but they usually fade.”“It.