PRESSURE from the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement has prompted a number of international artists to pull out of an Israeli-sponsored music festival in Berlin.

US musician John Maus is the latest act to withdraw from Berlin’s Pop-Kultur festival, organisers announced earlier this week, as he said his band did not wish “to play in a politicised setting.”

He joined Shopping, Richard Dawson & Band and Gwenno, who have cancelled their performances at the three-day festival due to its connections with the Israeli government. Israel’s Berlin embassy contributes to funding.