MTV announced that the 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards ceremony has been canceled due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war that killed thousands of people.
“Given the volatility of world events, we have decided not to move forward with the 2023 MTV EMAs out of an abundance of caution for the thousands of employees, crew members, artists, fans, and partners who travel from all corners of the world to bring the show to life,” MTV EMAs announced on Oct. 20.
The MTV EMA Paris (MTV)
It added, “The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music. As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration. With thousands of lives already lost, it is a moment of mourning.”
“Voting is continuing and the winning artists will receive their MTV EMA Awards. We look forward to hosting the MTV EMAs again in November of 2024,” it said.
The MTV EMAs ceremony was scheduled to be held on Nov. 5 at Paris Nord Villepinte in Paris.
Organizers earlier announced that BTS’ Jungkook, Anne-Marie, Coi Leray, David Guetta, Manuel Turizo, Ozuna, Rema, Renee Rapp, Sabrina Carpenter, Thirty Seconds to Mars and The Kid Laroi would perform at the event.
According to a report by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), 3,000 people have been killed since Oct. 7 and a further 12,500 injured, citing the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
In Israel, about 1,300 people were killed with at least 4,229 wounded.
In the West Bank at least 61 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7 and at least 1,230 are injured.
Destruction in Gaza Strip. (Photo: UNICEF/Hassan Islyeh)