Amir: Cancellations, Disolidarizations… We explain the controversy around the Franco-Israeli singer

The Francofolies de Spa. Consequently, a major Belgian music festival, are at the heart of a resounding controversy. In addition, The four -day event started on Thursday July 17. And a particular concert arouses anger: that of the Franco-Israeli singer Amir, scheduled for Friday, July 18 at 7:15 p.m.

Some artists. also on the poster of the festival, expressed themselves on their discomfort in the face of the position deemed pro-Israeli of the one who had represented France amir: cancellations, disolidarizations… we explain at Eurovision in 2016: “As programmed artists at the Francofolies de Spa, we firmly dissociate ourselves from the decision to program Amir”, we can read in a written declaration signed by various artists, as reports Euronews. In this common text. the singers Colt, Lovelace, Nicou, Lauravioli, Isaac, Libraromea, Thing, SMR, Nkey and Mado describe why they point their colleague with the finger.

The singer Franco-Swiss Yoa purely. simply canceled her participation in the festival, invoking her convictions “social, political and humanist” who require her not to “share the scene with an artist who does not recognize the current genocide in Palestine, and who participated in events organized in support of the Israeli army”, relays Euronews.

Since then. four other artists have also announced that they left the poster of the Francofolies de Spa: the Brussels DJ Raql, the DJ Libraromea and two musicians of the Belgian Collective of Street Art amir: cancellations, disolidarizations… we explain Who’s That Girl.

“An anti -Semitic hatred surge” – Amir: cancellations, disolidarizations… we explain

The facts denounced concern. among other things, the participation of the Franco-Israeli artist “to an event in the illegal colony of Hebron“In August 2014. He was also criticized for his presence at an evening of support for TSAhal soldiers, organized by Yoni Chetboun. This officer decorated with the Israeli army is also a member of the far -right nationalist party” Habayit Hayehudi “. As 20 minutes recalls, Amir, like any Israeli citizen aged 18 to 29 had to do his military service.

Parlophone. Amir’s record company, denounced “a surge of anti -Semitic hatred” in a press release: “Amir did not choose his nationality and has always chosen to promote peace between peoples and celebrate human values in its songs”, indicates the company which is part of the Warner group.

The organizers advocate the nuance

“We have received many messages calling amir: cancellations, disolidarizations… we explain for the deprogramming of Amir. In a dramatic context. it is understandable that citizens and artists challenge us on the commitments of an artist on display,” recognizes the Spa Francofolies team with RTBF.

Although “revolted by the current tragedy in Gaza”. the organizers nevertheless underline not to be able “to morally assess the entirety of its personal trajectory or to access the intimate of its convictions, […] We have chosen to program Amir for what he is: a popular song artist “.

The Francofolies team affirms that no propagandist speech has never been observed on stage. that it would in no case be tolerated at Spa.