The Killers have cancelled their Tel Aviv, Israel show which was rumored to have been scheduled for mid October of this year after their October 11, 2013 show at the Sandance Festival in Dubai, UAE.

The Killers allegedly had already received half of their $2,225,000.00 USD fee to come to Israel and perform at the Exhibition Grounds in Tel Aviv, Israel. It should be noted that it is customary for any artist to receive a portion of their fee up front, before the show. Apparently The Killers have returned their fee and cancelled the rumored show.

The Israeli promotor has indicated that there were not any problems on their end and that The Killers and their management cancelled the show for unknown or undisclosed reasons.

It should be noted that as the show had not been officially announced nor had tickets gone on sale, there is no official or concrete reason why The Killers have elected not to perform in Israel. At the present time it appears that all other shows in the region are still scheduled to go on.

The article below was translated via Google Translate.

“First published: Band “Hkilrz" decided not to go to Israel next October and her show, intended to take place in the exhibition grounds, was canceled. Reason for cancellation is not clear, since Brandon Flowers and his colleagues have received half of the money it promised Israeli production

Assaf Nevo | MAKO | Posted 30/07/13 17:39:29

Bad news to fans of “The Killers" Israel: The band “Hkilrz" decided not to go to Israel next October and her show, intended to take place in the exhibition grounds, was canceled. Reason for cancellation is not clear.

The appearance of Hkilrz was never an official statement on behalf of the Israeli producer, but between him and the group’s management was close agreement, and state the amount of money the band was supposed to get - two and a quarter million dollars. Tel Aviv Fairgrounds also were reserved for the show - which appeared in the open area Roxette, Lady Gaga, Chris Cornell and Dream Theater.

Despite the high amount of money and seductive, and although half of which has been transferred to them (as is customary in providing an advance before the show) - apparently any problems arose and Brandon Flowers and his colleagues and managers, decided not to perform in Israel. Difficult to hang the cancellation reasons such as political pressures - because appearance is not officially published and opened to the sale of tickets.”

You can view the original article at this link.

Typically The Killers News (TKN) does not offer an editorial opinion on stories but I have decided to make a rare exception given the nature of this cancellation. It should be noted that the following editorial opinion is mine, and mine alone, and does not, and should not be taken or otherwise construed to, represent the opinion of any other entity that is affiliated with TKN, including, but not limited to, TKN Contributors.

I believe that The Killers choice to succumb to political pressures and concerns and cancel the Israel show is an extremely misplaced and ill-advised decision in which they and their management failed to give all due consideration.

In my opinion, performing in a certain city, nation or other geographical area does not constitute an endorsement of the policies in that city, nation or geographical area. Any musical, or otherwise artistic, performance in a certain environment is not an endorsement of the events in that environment, it is about the shared experience that the audience has when enjoying that musical or artistic performance.

Music is, and should always be, about the ability of many different people of varied backgrounds to transcend any political, social or cultural issues and create a harmonious and shared experience irrespective of divisive ideologies.

While some readers of The Killers News or fans of The Killers may express joy in their perceived victory in the cancellation of The Killers Israel show, in my opinion they have only guaranteed that The Killers will continue to avoid region for the next several years due to the political concerns that have now been laid before them. Their overreaction to The Killers Israel show has, in the process, destroyed any hope that they may have held, or continue to hold, for a Killers show elsewhere in the region in the next several years.