Israeli musicians are learning the hard way that speaking out against the war in Gaza comes at a price, Haaretz culture reporter Shay Ringel explained on the Haaretz Podcast.

The letter, signed by 1,200 members of the cultural and artistic community, was unusually outspoken regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling on Israeli soldiers to disobey "unlawful orders" and to refrain from "committing war crimes."

"Talking about the horrific things that are happening in Gaza – the killing of children, the expulsion of population – this is something new," Ringel explains.

Ringel recounted how at least one artist had a concert cancelled as a result of signing the letter. He retracted his signature, and his concert was restored "all within the course of two hours." Other artists took their name off the petition due to pressure by right-wing activists.

In his conversation with host Allison Kaplan Sommer, Ringel noted that most of the signatories are older and more established musicians, while younger artists are "completely absent" from the petition.

Read more:

Israeli Mayors Ban Artists Who Signed 'Criminal' anti-Gaza War Petition as Some Retract Signatures

'Fake News': Israeli Singer and 'Fauda' Star Idan Amedi Slams Artists Petitioning Against Gaza War

Unthinkable Today – but in 1988, Israel's Biggest Singers United Against the Occupation

Israeli musicians are learning the hard way that speaking out against the war in Gaza comes at a price, Haaretz culture reporter&nbsp;Shay Ringel explained on the Haaretz Podcast.
The letter, signed by 1,200 members of the cultural and artistic community, was unusually outspoken regarding the <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-08-15/ty-article/.premium/un-13-000-gaza-children-treated-for-malnutrition-in-july-almost-all-aid-trucks-looted/00000198-aa4e-d1fc-a3d8-feee38640000">humanitarian crisis</a> in Gaza, calling on Israeli soldiers to disobey "unlawful orders" and to refrain from "committing war crimes."
"Talking about the horrific things that are happening in Gaza &ndash; the killing of children, the <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-07-15/ty-article/.premium/concentration-camp-illegal-orders-and-war-crimes-israels-madmen-have-a-grim-new-plan/00000198-0dac-d5b0-ab9f-6ded7b240000">expulsion</a> of population &ndash; this is something new," <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/ty-WRITER/00000195-7f15-d33e-a9d5-7ff5c4270000">Ringel</a> explains.
Ringel recounted how at least one artist had a concert <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-08-05/ty-article/.premium/israeli-mayors-ban-artists-who-signed-criminal-anti-gaza-war-petition-as-some-retract/00000198-790f-d8d8-a19e-79bfebc60000">cancelled</a> as a result of signing the letter. He retracted his signature, and his concert was restored "all within the course of two hours." Other artists took their name off the petition due to pressure by right-wing activists.
In his conversation with host Allison Kaplan Sommer, Ringel noted that most of the signatories are older and more established musicians, while younger artists are "completely absent" from the petition.
Read more:
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-08-05/ty-article/.premium/israeli-mayors-ban-artists-who-signed-criminal-anti-gaza-war-petition-as-some-retract/00000198-790f-d8d8-a19e-79bfebc60000">Israeli Mayors Ban Artists Who Signed 'Criminal' anti-Gaza War Petition as Some Retract Signatures</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-08-03/ty-article/.premium/fake-news-israeli-singer-and-fauda-star-slams-artists-petitioning-against-gaza-war/00000198-7039-de53-a3f9-767b3eaa0000">'Fake News': Israeli Singer and 'Fauda' Star Idan Amedi Slams Artists Petitioning Against Gaza War</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-07-31/ty-article-magazine/.premium/unthinkable-today-but-in-1988-israels-biggest-singers-united-against-the-occupation/00000198-6049-de6e-a198-e8edb5670000">Unthinkable Today &ndash; but in 1988, Israel's Biggest Singers United Against the Occupation</a>

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – a weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – a weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

Your audio guide to Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World.

Haaretz Podcast

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – the Haaretz weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer. 

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – the Haaretz weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

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