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“As artists scheduled for Spa Frenchmen, we firmly dissociate ourselves from the decision to program Amir.” The presence of the Franco-Israelí singer, on the scenario of the Belgian Francofolies, on Friday, July 18, arouses agitation. Ten artists, Colt, Lovelace, Nicou, Lauvavoli, Isaac, Libra Romea, Thing, SMR, Nkey and Mado, who also have to act during this festival, signed a text to denounce the presence of the singer.

The singer Yoa, a revelation of the scene of the latest musical victories, canceled her participation in the festival, invoking her “social, political and humanistic convictions” that dictate it does not “share the scene with an artist who does not recognize the current genocide in Palestine, and have participated in events organized in support of the Israeli army.”

Support for the extreme right Israeli

Questioned by RTBF, one of the signatories of the press release who wanted to remain in anonymity, he also explains:

“We are a set of uncomfortable artists in relation to Amir’s participation in the festival, after the revelations made by militant associations, because they testify facts that disturb us strongly.”

In their press release, artists evoke facts, revealed by the Liege Occupation free group. It is the participation of Amir, in 2014, in an event in Hebron, Israeli neighborhood, illegal with respect to international law. They also point out their presence on a night of support for Tsahal soldiers, organized by Yoni Chetboun, an officer decorated with the army and attached to the distance, Habayit Hayehudi.

“Jump from anti -Semitic hatred”

The Amir label denounces “a wave of anti -Semitic hatred”, and published on Instagram, his support for the singer.

“The Parlover Parish supports Amir in the face of the increase in anti -Semitic hatred he has received for several weeks on social networks,” the singer’s seal published. “Amir has not chosen his nationality and has always chosen to promote peace among peoples and celebrate human values in their songs.”

The Spa Francofolies organizers, interviewed by the RTBF, indicate that their part received these last 15 days “many messages that call Amir’s deprogramming.”

“In a dramatic context, it is understandable that citizens and artists challenge us the commitments of an artist in the poster,” he added. “We rebel for the current tragedy in Gaza and deeply surprised by the unacceptable sufferings inflicted on the civilian population.”

However, they maintain Amir’s concert, unable to “morally evaluate all personal trajectory or access the intimate of their convictions” and emphasize that “he had no reason to project more than what the artist says and sings.”

“We have chosen to program Amir for what it is: a popular song artist (…) His concerts are known for his uniform and festive character.”

The presence of Amir has also caused a stir at the Bouches-Du-Rhône, where the artist must act at the Gardan’Party festival in Gardanne, while Provence transmitted. The CGT of the municipal agents thus declared in a press release that Boicot will not request, as well as associations in several cities, but wish to open a public debate. Relate in his press release: “He made his military service and assumed his ideological commitment together with Tsahal, at the time this army takes Gaza to a military offensive of extreme violence.”

Amir was the candidate of France in Eurovision in 2016, and took the sixth place with the song Look.