Israeli singer David D'Or was attacked with red paint by a pro-Palestinian activist Sunday evening during a performance in Warsaw, Poland. The incident occurred during the middle of his performance of the "Avinu Malkeinu" prayer, as the singer was praying for a good year and world peace.
"In the middle of the prayer, while I was praying for a good year and peace in the world, I closed my eyes, when suddenly I felt a cold spray on my face," D'Or described the shocking moment. "I opened my eyes to see strong red paint, blood-like, on my clothes, on my face, and on the stage and musicians."
The singer described how his song list became stained with blood-like paint, adding that "Red paint stains brought me back to the sights of horror from October 7."
Video: Israeli singer David D'Or attacked with red paint by a pro-Palestinian activist during his performance in Warsaw. Credit: Courtesy of Ofer Menachem PR
"The shocked audience began a murmur of terror and crying," D'Or described. "I understood that I had to pull myself together and encourage them. I continued singing and asked everyone to close their eyes and pray for the people of Israel." Despite the shock, the singer continued with the performance. "It wasn't simple, my eyes teared from pain and great sadness from the situation we've reached. At the end of the show, the audience sang along with me, and we emerged stronger." According to D'Or, the violin player was very frightened by the incident and thought they had poured acid on them. He concluded his post with a prayer. "What terrible days, may God have mercy. I pray for good days, amen."
On Monday, the singer responded to the incident in a video released. "I want to say thank you to all the wonderful people who are sending me responses and strengthening me. There's no one like our people in the world.
"We went through a really traumatic experience, but we didn't break and won't break. I will continue to come to every place that invites me. I am proud to be Israeli, I am proud to be Jewish, and I am proud to try to connect different religions, people, and opinions through this wonderful tool called music. We will not break and they will not break us," he concluded his remarks.
This is another antisemitic incident in a series of events across Europe since the outbreak of the Gaza War.
