Jonathan Duschnitzky – www.israelhayom.com

Amsterdam DJs cancel over memorial for Nova victims

miriw — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:00:03 +0000

Three DJs canceled their performances at Amsterdam's De Lofft club in recent days after discovering the venue hosted parties commemorating those killed at the Nova Festival massacre. According to Dutch newspaper Telegraaf, the club owner said the cancellations occurred because the events were labeled as "Jewish."

The cancellations happened during the ADE music festival, one of the world's largest electronic music events, after a video from a "We Will Dance Again" party held at the venue earlier this year surfaced online. Following the controversy, club management announced that, for now, no more events "that could be interpreted as political" will be hosted at the venue.

Nova Music Festival (Photo: Ido Darbo) Ido Darbo

The club owner said financial losses from the cancellations total approximately 100,000 euros ($106,000), adding that partygoers are the main victims. The owner said the published video "was edited in a biased manner and damaged the venue's reputation."

Event organizers for "We Will Dance Again" criticized the decision, calling it "surrender to threats." The organizers said, "A small group of people uses pressure and threats to dictate what's permitted and what's forbidden, and this is very disturbing." The organizers added that this represents a chilling recreation of patterns of Jewish exclusion from public spaces during dark periods in history. "First, they banned sitting on a bench, then they didn't allow entry to schools. These are things that happened to our parents and grandparents, and now we're seeing similar things happen again," the organizers said.

Belgian parliament member Sam van Rooy also addressed the incidents and warned, "If the cowardly policies continue, Amsterdam will eventually become Judenrein" – cleansed of Jews.

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WWE changes controversial event name set for October 7

omrif — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 08:30:27 +0000

The World Wrestling Entertainment organization (WWE) announced that the special event planned for October 7 will now be called NXT Showdown instead of Invasion.

The decision came after an official request from Israel Hayom to the organization and to the American CW network, which broadcasts NXT, and after an international outcry that spread across social media and leading wrestling websites following Israel Hayom's report.

Reactions to the Israel Hayom report. Photo: Social media

The name change was revealed during a live broadcast of NXT, WWE's main developmental division that shapes the next generation of wrestling stars. Representatives from the rival TNA organization also appeared in the ring. In a dramatic face-off between wrestlers from both groups, the new name Showdown was unveiled, signaling that the event will go ahead as planned but under a new brand.

Just two days earlier, WWE had announced the event under the name Invasion, scheduled for October 7. The choice drew harsh criticism from Jewish and Israeli fans around the world, who viewed it as deeply insensitive in light of the Hamas terrorist invasion and the massacre carried out in Israeli communities near Gaza on October 7, 2023. Following Israel Hayom's appeal and the involvement of the podcast "Close Line," as well as the international backlash, WWE announced that the event will still take place on the same date but under the new name Showdown.

In recent months, Israel Hayom has also approached WWE leadership over other controversies. For example, wrestler Sami Zayn faced backlash after making antisemitic remarks against Israel and Jews. At another event, he and CM Punk appeared in attire resembling the Palestinian flag. Only after widespread protest and an official request from Israel Hayom were Zayn's videos and posts removed from social media.

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WWE's new 'invasion' event on October 7 anniversary stuns many

ErezL — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 05:05:46 +0000

The wrestling organization WWE announced Sunday night that a special event for the company's brand NXT will be held on October 7 and will be titled Invasion. The choice of the name and the date – a day when Israel commemorates the memory of the massacre from October 7, 2023 – is viewed as extreme insensitivity.

The term Invasion, on such a sensitive date, which directly recalls the infiltration of Hamas terrorists into the southern communities and the mass killings of Israelis and Americans, raises questions about who in the organization is responsible for this preposterous decision.

Netflix and WWE officials discuss the upcoming match (AP)

In 2001, a highly publicized rivalry occurred between the WWE and the rival organization WCW. At that time, a pay per view event took place that carried the name Invasion, in which the WWE took over the WCW in what was considered a landmark moment in the wrestling world. Now, more than two decades later, the WWE is reusing this brand to designate the scheduled conflict between NXT and TNA – two organizations currently operating under its umbrella, but the obtuseness and extreme insensitivity to the date and the selection of the name prompts reflection.

INVASION.

NXT vs. TNA.

October 7th on @TheCW! pic.twitter.com/n6vezTtwFp

— WWE (@WWE) September 28, 2025

The event itself features "Survivor Series Style Matches", in addition to a tag team championship match between the Hardy Boyz and DarkState. Yet, from the viewpoint of Israeli fans, the mere staging of the event specifically on this highly charged day and with a name that assumes a chilling significance is the main concern.

In recent months, the Israel Hayom editorial staff approached WWE management following previous controversies. For instance, the wrestler Sami Zayn provoked outrage after his social media remarks included curses against Israel and Jews, and at another event, he and CM Punk appeared wearing attire featuring the colors of PLO flags. Only after widespread public outcry were Sami Zayn's posts removed, but the management has chosen repeatedly to disregard the criticism from the Israeli audience.

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'I fear for my children's lives': Israeli chef in New York under attack

omrif — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 07:45:18 +0000

Chef Guy Vaknin, the owner of six successful vegan restaurants in New York - City Roots, Reverie, Willow, Le Basque, the Sentir sushi chain, and Coletta - revealed in an interview with Israel Hayom an ongoing campaign of harassment, threats, and antisemitic incitement against him. "They've been after me for two years," he said. "I tried to stay out of politics, but they threatened my children. They even sent me photos of my son. These people are sick."

Vaknin, who grew up in Sderot with a single mother and later immigrated to the US to pursue his culinary dream, described the difficult road to success. As a young man, he served as an infantry soldier in the Samson Unit before turning to the culinary world after his release from the army. "I started with a hole in the wall, just 12 seats. For 15 years I've worked like crazy. I don't know many chefs who managed to build what I did without piles of investors."

His vision, he explains, was to create vegan restaurants that offered the experience of a traditional dining setting. "Each restaurant has a different style - French, Mexican, Italian, American, Mediterranean. Two of them are sushi restaurants. The whole idea was to cook, to do what I love, and to create vegan food."

Vaknin's vegan restaurants

But everything changed after October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists massacred civilians in southern Israel. "Until then, people celebrated me at the highest levels. They kissed my hand at the restaurant, came to eat three times a week. After October 7, it all collapsed.

In recent weeks, the campaign against him has intensified on the Instagram account "Vegans for Palestine," which called for a boycott of his restaurants, accusing him of being "Zionist" and of "using veganism to whitewash Israel's crimes." Posts spread rapidly, went viral, and were soon followed by direct threats. "It got to the point where you have to hide that you're Israeli. But I won't. I don't go around shouting it in the street, but I won't hide it either. It's insane. The world has gone mad."

The threats moved from online to the real world. Slogans such as "Free Gaza" were scrawled on bathroom walls in his restaurants, storefront windows were smashed, and former employees were approached by hostile groups trying to recruit them against him. "This is a group of people who claim to care about the world, but in reality, they're trying to destroy us. It's absurd - they're vegans, yet filled with burning hatred."

They threaten his children and vandalize his restaurants

What makes it worse, he says, is that the hostility is coming not from violent extremists but from the liberal vegan community itself. "It's not a bunch of crazy Muslims randomly attacking. It's a group of white, woke vegans who sit behind a computer and can tear apart everything you built in 15 years. They smear your name, and you're left banging your head against the wall."

The fear is constant. "I went to the police with the messages, but because my Instagram profile is public, they said there's nothing they can do. I carry a pocketknife in case something happens. It's horrific. The idea that someone would even think of harming your kids, it drives you insane."

He says he is deeply worried for his staff. "What can my employees do? In the end, I'm the leader. It's on me to make sure the business runs and that they have jobs. But it's already hurting us. A year ago we had 315 workers; now we're down to 250. If this doesn't stop, it could become catastrophic."

Chef Guy Vaknin. Photo: Courtesy

Vaknin concludes with anguish: "I feel like they're trying to kill us as human beings. I never imagined, in my worst nightmares, that I'd end up in this situation. It's terrible for me, my family, and my workers. There are people whose only purpose is to destroy, and others who just want to build. It's very much like what's happening in Israel: one side builds life, while the other tries to destroy it. And that's how it feels here too."

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'Vegans for Palestine'? New York boycott campaign targets Israeli chef

adin — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 04:20:51 +0000

Another antisemitic incident unfolded in recent days – this time within the vegan culinary sphere. An antisemitic Instagram page named "Vegans for Palestine" initiated a harsh campaign against Israeli chef Guy Vaknin, owner of a thriving vegan restaurant chain in New York.

Posts circulated against him alleged his businesses are "Zionist" and that he employs veganism to whitewash Israel's crimes, along with accusations of "culinary appropriation" of Arab cuisine. Lists published by the page also featured additional vegan restaurants owned by Israelis in the city, designed to exert economic pressure and isolate them.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vegans for Palestine (@vegansforpalestine)

The campaign extended beyond boycott appeals: page followers disseminated offensive messages and threats toward Vaknin himself and even toward his children, employing racist language and severe personal delegitimization. His military service in the IDF, a duty required of every Israeli citizen, was characterized by the boycotters as an adequate justification to boycott him and his staff.

Guy Vaknin, who initially rose to prominence through his appearance on "Hell's Kitchen" with Gordon Ramsay and later solidified his status as a successful chef in the American scene after receiving investment on "Shark Tank," responded with a public declaration on his Instagram account.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Guy Vaknin | Vegan Chef (@chefguyvaknin)

In his statement, he emphasized that his restaurants have been in operation for over 12 years and have never been involved in politics, and that his vision is centered on advancing veganism, compassion, and human kindness.

"Our mission has always been, and continues to be, focused on creating positive change for the animals, the planet, and the community," he wrote, noting that efforts to transform his culinary profession into a political instrument damage not only him and his family but also the entire workforce.

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Antisemitic band dedicates song to 'piece of sh*t' Charlie Kirk

miriw — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 08:00:13 +0000

A serious incident occurred Saturday at a Bob Vylan band performance in Amsterdam. The band's singer, Pascal Robinson-Foster, took the stage with Palestinian flags behind him as always, but this time, he also brutally attacked the memory of American pro-Israel activist Charlie Kirk, who was murdered last week.

During the performance, he referenced the fatal shooting that took the life of Kirk, "dedicated" a song to him, mocked that his pronouns will now be "was/were," and said, "If you talk sh*t, you will get banged. Rest in piss, Charlie Kirk, you piece of sh*t."

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A post shared by Visegrád24 (@visegrad.24)

The remarks sparked cheers and applause from the crowd, some of whom waved Palestinian flags and participated in chants against Israel. The singer later led the crowd in extremist slogans and declared that "Death to the IDF" should be heard not only in Britain but throughout the world.

As is known, the Bob Vylan band already caused an uproar earlier this year with similar chants at the Glastonbury Festival. As will be recalled, during the performance, singer Pascal Robinson-Foster led the crowd in chants of "Free Palestine," "Death to the IDF," and "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

The Bob Vylan band already caused an uproar earlier this year with similar chants at the Glastonbury Festival (Photo: AFP)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the chants "horrific hate speech" and demanded explanations from the BBC about broadcasting the content. Health Secretary Wes Streeting called them "abhorrent" and mentioned the October 7 massacre at the Nova party.

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Israeli singer hit with red paint by pro-Palestinian during Warsaw show

adin — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 04:00:05 +0000

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.

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'Not everyone liked the idea': US country singer's conversion journey

miriw — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 06:55:55 +0000

On stage, he looks like any other country singer from Texas – the southern accent, the ornate boots, the checkered shirt, and the horn-adorned belt buckle. But every morning, before Joe Buchanan puts on his cowboy hat, he stops to pray shacharit from the heart. This unexpected meeting – between old-movie Texas and a deep connection to religion – gives his music a unique sound.

For many years, he lived without knowing anything about Judaism. He didn't know any Jews, had never seen a kippah, and had never entered a beit midrash. "The Jewish community in Houston is huge, but I'd never seen a synagogue in my life," he tells Israel Hayom.

Everything changed that day when he visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington with his wife, from which the two emerged shaken and disturbed by what they saw. There, out of nowhere, she told him, "I want to reconnect with the faith of my people." Buchanan was surprised and asked what she meant – and was then amazed to hear for the first time the words "I'm Jewish." This wasn't just a surprising discovery for Joe, but also a door opening to an entire world he didn't know existed. "We never had a religious wedding ceremony; we just got married at city hall. The subject of religion never came up," he says.

Country music singer Joe Buchanan

The initial shock led the couple to the door of Rabbi Stuart Federow in Houston. Buchanan introduced himself simply: "My wife and son are Jewish – I'm not. None of us knows what that means." The rabbi's answer changed his life: "There is one God, and even if you don't believe in Him – there's nothing wrong with you. God loves you exactly as you are. The more good you do in the world, the stronger your faith will become."

Buchanan says this was the first time he heard an adult tell him he was perfectly fine exactly as he was, and the rabbi's words touched him to tears. At that moment, Buchanan decided he wanted to be part of this story – and so his conversion journey began. "Not everyone liked this idea of mine, to convert," he says sadly. "My immediate family stopped talking to me completely. For years now. But on the other hand, I discovered another close family, and the connection with my wife's family grew stronger," he says. "That's already in the past, there's not much to do about it."

As he deepened his Torah studies, he discovered that the most natural way for him to express what he felt was to write songs. "When I sit with the guitar and compose, I feel like I'm delving into the story and connecting to it," he says enthusiastically. This is how melodies were born based on Torah portions, on prayer, and on ancient Jewish stories, but with a distinct Texas country sound – the guitar, the deep voice, and the southern spirit. His rabbi heard one of the first songs and pushed him to perform in the community. What started as an assignment from the rabbi quickly became a real musical career, with three albums and performances throughout the US.

This connection between Texas and Judaism sounds almost impossible on its face – a cowboy with a southern accent playing and singing ballads about Abraham, Isaac, and Eve. But this very contrast has won over many communities. "Every verse in the Torah is actually a song waiting for someone to compose it," he says. His performances draw teenagers alongside adults, Jews and Christians, and everyone waits to hear how he connects prayer with country music. "There are those who tell me my songs bring them back to tradition, some say it gives them strength in moments of crisis – and there are those who simply enjoy the southern sound."

Country music singer Joe Buchanan

Has antisemitism reached you already?

"In my life, I never heard a bad word about Jews, it just wasn't part of my world," he says. "But the moment I got close to Judaism, it suddenly jumped from every direction, and online, it's endless. I do lives on TikTok, and people just curse me – only because I'm Jewish. Only because I'm excited about my Judaism."

He also experiences difficult moments offline: "Once at Disney World, someone saw the Star of David I wore around my neck, he approached me and whispered 'f--- you' and disappeared into the crowd. It was strange. All I wanted was for him to stay and we'd talk, but he ran away."

He says the hatred of Jews has escalated recently: "I was in synagogue one Shabbat, and suddenly a man entered and threw coins at our rabbi. He started cursing and shouting things against Jews," he recounts. "Without thinking twice, I got up – me and another worshiper – and we took him outside. I have no patience for this. There's no place for such hatred."

He sees this as personal responsibility: "In our community, we need to watch out for each other. We can't let this interfere with our prayers or our lives." And that's why on his social media, Buchanan doesn't let hatred affect his path: "I delete and block them – as far as I'm concerned, my pages where I sing and tell my story, that's my community, and there's no place for that there."

What are you experiencing in Texas since October 7?

"It's a subject that accompanies us every day. Every Shabbat and every performance. I come to communities and synagogues and see pictures of the hostages on the tables, we're constantly praying for them, talking about this subject all the time, and talking about Israel all the time."

Buchanan describes how the disaster actually created moments of unity: "There are synagogues that never did anything together – and suddenly they're gathering for joint events. People want to be together, to stand together against the darkness." And he adds: "Everywhere I perform, there's a feeling of togetherness and pride. Even in places where there are security threats, audiences still come and aren't willing to give up."

In November, he will return to Israel – this time not just as a tourist, but as an artist bringing his guitar and Texas voice. "This will be the first time I'm performing in Israel," he says excitedly. "On Thursday, November 13, I'll play in Jerusalem, and I hope we'll do another show in the north." But not just music is planned in the schedule: "We'll visit Re'im at the Nova festival victims memorial site, we'll meet captivity survivors, we'll help prepare meals for security forces, and volunteer in kibbutz rehabilitation. My goal isn't just to sing and play – but also to be present, to help, to bring Texas love with me."

He says Israel is much more than a performance destination. "The last time I visited here, I saw people arguing at protests about the judicial reform, but everyone was waving the same flag," he says enthusiastically. "It was a moving sight – difficult disagreements, but with a deep sense of national unity." He sees the upcoming visit as an opportunity to deepen the connection: "I love Israel and want to return again and again. For me, it's a place that connects my spiritual roots with the people themselves. Every minute here is a gift."

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WWE legend Hulk Hogan dies of cardiac arrest at 71

omrif — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:50:45 +0000

Shock and mourning have swept the world of sports following the death Thursday evening of WWE icon Hulk Hogan at the age of 71.

Emergency medical teams were dispatched to his Florida home early in the morning and reported that he died of cardiac arrest. According to TMZ, multiple police vehicles responded to the scene, and his body was transported by ambulance.

Just weeks ago, his wife Sky denied rumors that he had been in a coma, insisting his heart was "strong" as he recovered from surgery. As recently as last month, rumors swirled that Hogan was "on his deathbed," but reports claimed he was merely dealing with side effects from neck surgery he underwent in May.

Let me tell you something, brother

WWE icon Hogan, the man who turned American wrestling into a global phenomenon and forever changed how audiences perceive a hero, was much more than a wrestler to millions of fans worldwide. He was a larger-than-life, flamboyant figure who conquered 1980s and '90s pop culture and left a deep imprint on generations to come.

Hogan was born on August 11, 1953, as Terry Gene Bollea in Augusta, Georgia, and grew up in Tampa, Florida. Before stepping into the ring, he played in local bands, but his true breakthrough came in the early 1980s. After wrestling in several regional circuits, he joined Vince McMahon's WWF, and the Hulk Hogan brand was born.

Hulk Hogan. Photo: Getty Images

In January 1984, he defeated the Iron Sheik, an Iranian villain character, to win the world championship - marking the birth of "Hulkamania." A year later, in the iconic WrestleMania 3 showdown, he body-slammed André the Giant, who weighed over 230 kilograms (more than 500 pounds), a spectacle that became the defining moment of professional wrestling's golden era.

Hogan was the champion, the face, and the symbol. With ripped shirts, bulging muscles, platinum-blond hair, and the immortal catchphrase, "Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?" he became a household name. Children saw him as a hero, and the brand built around him - toys, shows, posters - grew into a full-fledged industry.

After retiring from regular competitive wrestling, Hogan appeared in films, television shows, and reality programs, and even launched a successful beer brand bearing his name. At one point, he attempted to start an independent wrestling organization, but the venture never took off.

In recent years, Hogan stirred public controversy. His vocal support for President Donald Trump became a hot topic, but the most significant backlash came after the release of an old recording in which he was heard making racist remarks. As a result, he was suspended from WWE, and even when he eventually returned to the stage, parts of the crowd responded with boos. The incident marked a shift in public perception of him, while underscoring how he remained a central, if polarizing, figure.

In 2005, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. His career spanned more than four decades, filled with countless unforgettable moments - victories, defeats, surprising moves, dramatic comebacks - and at every turn, a character the audience simply couldn't ignore.

Hogan leaves behind children, family, a generation of fans - and above all, the iconic image etched into many childhoods: a towering man in the ring, tearing his shirt, pointing at the crowd, and finishing with the call, "Say your prayers, eat your vitamins, and believe in yourself."

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'Humbled by the experience': David Draiman on emotional meeting with Yarden Bibas

adin — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 21:15:22 +0000

There's no need to introduce David Draiman to Israelis. He's not just another global rock star who comes to perform here - he's ours, wholeheartedly. He has family here, he's a Jew who doesn't hide it for a moment, even throws in "akhi" (Hebrew for "brother") with a smile. The love for him in Israel isn't measured just in tickets sold or radio hits. It's real, mutual love.

This week, he landed in Israel straight from an event he'll never forget – the final performance, the historic farewell event of Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne in Birmingham. One evening when some of the biggest names in rock shared the stage – Guns N' Roses, Aerosmith, Metallica, and others. Draiman was there, on stage, one of them – but also a huge fan who never forgets where he came from.

David Draiman, lead vocalist of Disturbed (Photo: KOKO)

He admits he's still recovering. "I don't think that there was ever a room assembled with a higher concentration of rock and roll star power in my life," he said. For Draiman, Ozzy and Black Sabbath aren't just legends – they're his teachers. "They're the godfathers of heavy metal. I'm fortunate and blessed enough to be able to call the Osborne family our friends. They were very instrumental in the development of Disturbed and our growth, and in our discovery."

He describes the evening as a once-in-a-lifetime event where all the biggest rock stars became fans again. "We were terrified, every single one of us. Whether it was somebody like Steven Tyler, or the Metallica guys, everybody was intimidated. I still have to pinch myself. Here I am with the guys in the room whose records I was first looking at for the first time when I was 10-years-old."

Video: The lead vocalist of Disturbed, David Draiman, in an exclusive interview with Israel Hayom. Credit: Jonathan Duschnitzky, Gil Kremer

But this evening wasn't just a glittering celebration behind the scenes. It also became the talk of the day because of some boos heard from the audience while he was on stage. Draiman doesn't dodge the question, but puts things in perspective. "I was expecting something," he said. "It caught me off guard, but it was for a minute, and so I didn't really pay all that much attention to it. Because by the time I was one stanza into the first song, the whole crowd was with me, clapping and pumping fists."

What really bothered him was how this story took on a life of its own in the media. "This perversion of reality for the sake of the narrative is just pathetic, to be perfectly honest," he said. "It deserved to be about Ozzy, it deserved to be about Sabbath."

But Draiman isn't naive and isn't blind to the hatred circulating in the world. He's not afraid to call it by name. "They [think] they're fighting for justice but they're fighting for the devil. The greatest trick the devil ever played was to convince the world he doesn't actually exist, but he does. And he's manifesting himself all over the place these days." Still, he's careful to say the haters were few. "They were there, but not in the numbers that they would try to convince you of. That's the stupidity of the whole thing. We made an elephant out of it."

He also says many colleagues know exactly where he stands politically. "They do," he says seriously, but refuses to name names. "I won't betray their trust by naming them because they may not want, nor do they deserve, the backlash that is going to come with it. But I can tell you with an open heart and in all honesty, that there has been a shockingly strong outpouring of support." Then he draws the clear lines of his identity: "This [Star of David] is more than something I wear around my neck. It's who I am. I'm not afraid of it. I don't cower, I don't back down, and I never will. They count on us to be Jews with trembling knees; I won't give them that."

He takes care to mention again the large Star of David he wears on stage. "There certainly is no shortage of crosses at a Black Sabbath show. There might as well be one Magen David that's fine," he smiled.

But then something in him changes. His voice becomes softer, his heart opens wide. He speaks about Yarden Bibas. This isn't just another story; it's a piece of deep pain that connects people who never knew each other before.

Their connection began in the most difficult moments. Someone reached out to him and told him that Yarden wanted to use one of his songs at his family's funeral. Draiman didn't hesitate for a moment. "I was absolutely blown away that it would even be considered for something like that. You know, 'Hold On To Memories', that's precisely the type of thing that was written for. It couldn't possibly gain greater poignancy than through what is probably the greatest tragedy to befall the Jewish people since the Holocaust."

Former Israeli hostage Yarden Bibas (L), with David Draiman (R) (Screenshot: Social media)

He shared how he followed the story. "I think everyone fell in love with the father he is. I never felt so close to another family's children as if they were my own. I think we were all so glued to our televisions, just watching every moment for a sign of hope that they were still alive. And I felt so connected."

The face-to-face meeting was a moment he'll never forget. "He's just the sweetest, most demure, most genuine human. But you can feel his pain, you can see the darkness in his eyes still. He's just the kind of guy you feel like you want to just give him a big hug. To weather that storm, to have your children, your most precious things in all of existence, murdered at the hands of savages, and to somehow find a way to keep moving forward, it's a crazy thing to even be a part of any part of this story. I'm humbled by the experience."

He stops for a moment and then adds something quiet, almost in a whisper. "You only dream that the therapeutic and cathartic nature of what you've created can do the same for someone else. That's what gives it life beyond your creation."

And he's careful to remind that his support for Israel isn't new. "I've been doing this for 25-30 years. Since the day I started, I've never hidden. Not from one single day, and I never will."

His love for Israel is clear. "I love our people. I love our history. I love our heritage. You have all hell of the world thrown at us, and we just get tougher. It has the absolute opposite effect of what they're trying to achieve."

But he also doesn't sugarcoat the difficulties. "It's been a difficult year. For all of us in the industry who feel the way that I do. And there are many who can't find it in them yet to voice it, maybe. It's very difficult to try and challenge a situation where you have people on the other side of the equation who outnumber us by the billions and who are willing to give up their lives to take yours. That's not how we behave. Jews don't threaten other people. We don't strap on suicide vests and run into crowds. We love life, that culture celebrates death, and we can't play their game. I'm okay with that. I'd rather walk with honor and dignity than turn myself into an animal to battle the animals."

And within all this, he also has personal moments of light. A few months ago he knelt down and proposed on stage. "I love the hell out of her. She's such a gift. She's such a blessing in my absolutely insane world. We have yet to have a single fight in a year and a half of relationship; She's gorgeous, she's got such a lovely soul. So lucky that we found each other."

And finally, he shares something personal. The current visit is dedicated only to his mother who is ill with cancer. He makes a humble, very human request. "If anyone feels like saying Tehillim, or they can make a blessing on my mother's behalf, fighting stage 4 cancer. That's why I'm here in Israel right now. I could use everybody's prayers and everybody's wishes."

And when asked about additional shows in Israel, he doesn't promise anything, but doesn't rule it out either. "Well, Shuki Weiss says we can't come back for a while. He says we need to wait. Airports just recently reopened; we're dealing with a tiny war that we're in the middle of, and this is stage one. I think there's more to come: Iran's not done, Hamas isn't done, the hostages aren't home. The job isn't complete, but I've never been more proud. Crazy what we've been able to accomplish. Shocked the world. We've been underestimated for centuries; will continue to be underestimated. That's fine. It's easier to win that way."

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