Thailand shuts down dance parties targeted by anti-Israel incitement, vandalism

An Israeli-led series of dance parties in northern Thailand has been canceled after organizers faced online incitement and vandalism by anti-Israel activists, which led to mounting pressure on local authorities.

The Loop Festival was created by a group of Israelis living in Pai, who worked with people from several other countries to create a line of electronic music parties. After more than a year of preparations, the first party attracted hundreds from Israel and abroad.

Founders Eliad Yehuda and Daniel Keizman told Ynet and Channel 12 that the trouble began after the success of the first event, with social media posts accusing them of being “baby killers” and claiming they were attempting to “take over” the town.

Then, vandalism began, with promotional materials around Pai burned. Shortly before the second party, the venue that was to host it was broken into. Equipment was destroyed, set on fire and stolen.

The organizers found an alternative location with better security and proceeded with the second event. But afterward, they were notified by local authorities that the next planned events would not go forward.

“We didn’t understand where this was coming from. Everything was approved, the authorities were aware of everything, we did everything as required. We tried to get answers, but to this day we haven’t received them,” Yehuda told Channel 12. “We are simply a group of people who came together to do good for people, to bring joy, out of a love for music, and our team includes Europeans, Thais, and Australians. We didn’t understand where this came from.”

The pair said the financial costs of the cancellation amounted to hundreds of thousands of shekels.

Speaking to Ynet, Keizman said police had not found the vandals.

“The truth is that we didn’t receive any kind of update on the matter. It was apparently very difficult to find them. After all, the police here are limited in their resourcesץ We’re in a picturesque town in the mountains of northern Thailand.”

He added: “I think the locals themselves began to feel threatened by all this campaign that was created around us and against us, and naturally, that caused us to lose support. We don’t blame them.”

The men vowed not to give in to the violence.

“We will create something together, a project against this thing — antisemitism — so that these organizations understand that if they try to eliminate us, then we will grow fourfold, because we also have backing, we are united. We stand together,” Keizman said.