2023 MTV EMAs Canceled Amid Israel-Gaza Conflict: ‘It Is a Moment of Mourning’

The 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards will no longer take place in Paris on Nov. 5. On Thursday, Paramount announced that the event — which would have featured performances from BTS’ Jung Kook, Reneé Rapp, Sabrina Carpenter, and more — has been canceled in light of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

“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,” a spokesperson for Paramount shared in a statement.

The 2023 EMAs would usually broadcast on MTV in over 150 countries in addition to streaming online via Pluto TV and Paramount+. Additional performers included Coi Leray, David Guetta, Rema, the Kid Laroi, PinkPantheress and others. Voting for the awards, which opened earlier this month, will continue and winning artists will still receive their trophies.

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“The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music,” Paramount continued in the statement. “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.”

Following a brutal attack by Hamas militants against Israeli civilians last week, Israel has launched a relentless retaliatory counteroffensive, including a resource blockade cutting off access to electricity and water to Gaza. On Tuesday, Palestinian health authorities reported that hundreds of Palestinians were killed when the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza was targeted in an attack they say Israel is responsible for. Since the conflict began, thousands of Palestinians have been killed and millions more are still effectively trapped.