Stevie Wonder fans who hoped to see the 25-time Grammy winner at Thursday's Friends of Israel Defense Forces gala at the Hyatt Regency are in for a disappointment. The 62-year-old singer won't be performing as scheduled.
A press release issued by the FIDF national office last week said "representatives of the performer cited a recommendation from the United Nations to withdraw his participation given Wonder’s involvement with the organization," the Jewish Journal reported.
The FIDF is a not-for-profit corporation headquartered in New York that initiates and helps support educations, social, cultural and recreational programs and facilities the young men and women soldiers of Israel, according to its website. It also supports the families of fallen soldiers.
"Given the current and very delicate situation in the Middle East, and with a heart that has always cried out for world unity, I will not be performing at the FIDF gala," Wonder told Reuters in a written statement.
Reuters reported Wonder will make contributions to organizations that support Israeli and Palestinian children with disabilities.
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