Israeli president cancels pop star appearance due to anti-Arab song
Posted November 25, 2014 2:51 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
JERUSALEM – Israel’s president on Tuesday cancelled the appearance of a local pop star at a high-profile public event following the star’s release of a new song focusing on a fictional Arab who gets his kicks by stabbing Jews.
The release of the song by singer Amir Benayoun reflects the recent tensions between Jews and Muslims, connected in large part to competing claims to the most sensitive holy site in Jerusalem. President Reuven Rivlin, whose largely ceremonial role is meant to serve as a moral compass for the country, has repeatedly appealed for calm.
On Tuesday, Rivlin’s office said it was cancelling its invitation for Benayoun to perform at an event next week marking the expulsion and exile of Jews from Arab countries and Iran.
The office said the sentiments expressed by Benayoun in the song “Ahmed Loves Israel” are “inconsistent with the responsibility required of the president’s residence.”
“His statements made at this time of conflict and tension … do not, to say the least, help bring calm to the streets,” it said.
“Ahmed Loves Israel” tells of a fictional Arab who wants to “send to hell a Jew or two” despite his moderate appearance.
“I wasn’t brought up on love,” the fictional Arab protagonist sings. “It’s true that the moment will come when you will turn your back on me, and I’ll stab you right in the back.”
Over the past month, Palestinian attackers have killed 11 people. Five Palestinian assailants have died at the hands of Israeli security forces, and an Arab-Israeli man was fatally shot by police during a violent protest.
Against this backdrop, the Israeli government is pushing new legislation that would codify Israel’s status as “the Jewish state.” Critics, including Arab rights groups and many Jewish Israelis, believe it would undercut Israel’s democratic character. Officials have delayed a parliamentary vote, originally scheduled for Wednesday, by a week while legislators search for compromise language.
The bill still threatens to fracture Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition.
On Monday the U.S. State Department called on Israel to preserve its democracy, in a clear reference to the legislation.
