Last night (Saturday), Israeli citizens were overjoyed following the incredible news of the rescue of hostages Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv from Hamas captivity. However, as expected, the nation's great joy was overshadowed by global criticism against Israel.

American-Jewish actor and comedian Michael Rapaport, known as a passionate supporter of Israel, took to his Instagram account to address the accusations leveled at Israel regarding the military operation to rescue the hostages. The actor fired back at those attacking and criticizing the operation, directing a clear message to the citizens of Gaza.

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"Release the damn hostages," Rapaport yelled in a self-recorded video, visibly emotional. "You're still talking about a ceasefire. Innocent civilians don't hide kidnapped victims in their homes. That makes you not innocent," he clarified. "When you kidnap men, women, children, and babies for eight months, you don't get to dictate how they're rescued, understand?"

"Jews, and actually everyone except for uneducated, sick, psychopathic, jihadist, and dumb people, don't believe in martyrdom. We love life," he emphasized.

Rapaport then turned his attention to Hamas: "We told you over and over to surrender. None of you listened. We want them all back." Just before concluding his remarks, he also addressed the citizens of the Gaza Strip: "If there are any innocent civilians in Gaza, and you see innocent Israeli hostages – say something. If you see something, say something, or shut up when we come in there to rescue them."

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Just one week after releasing her viral hit "Iran – DON'T SHOOT", a warning to Tehran against attacking Israel again, musician and entrepreneur Pnina Rosenblum is already fielding numerous requests to perform the song live.

In an interview with Israel Hayom, Rosenblum revealed she has been inundated with offers and pleas from fans to take her new topical anthem to the stage. "Everyone is asking me," she said. "People are sending me messages all day."

However, the 57-year-old singer-songwriter says she would only consider live performances if they were fundraising events for charities or non-profit organizations. "If I ever do a performance, it will only be if the entire event is a donation to some association or something," Rosenblum explained.

Her new musical release has struck a chord, racking up over 43,000 views on YouTube in just the first 24 hours, Rosenblum said. She attributes its rapid popularity to the song's uplifting, rhythmic melody at a time of tension and anxiety for Israel.

"It's a beautiful song, a song that brings joy amidst all the darkness surrounding us," she said "I wanted it to be rhythmic, something different. A little cheerful during this gloomy period that Israel is going through with the hostages and the evacuees."

The success of "Iran – DON'T SHOOT" follows Rosenblum's previous viral hit "Where Were You on 10/7?" which also became a ubiquitous anthem after its release last October. Despite mockery from some critics, Rosenblum brushes off the negative comments.

"With 'Where Were You on 7/10?', the result was that the song became a hit that every five-year-old child sings and every soldier sings," she said. "So I really don't care...it all comes from jealousy. All these songs are songs that everyone connects to."

Remarkably, Rosenblum revealed that the lyrics to "Iran - DON'T SHOOT" took her a few minutes to write, and it took just several more hours working with a producer to finalize the music, remix, and video.

The post Will celebrity singer's 'Iran – DON'T SHOOT' song become unlikely anthem for Israelis under fire? appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Legendary Israeli guitarist Yitzhak Klepter, one of the country's greatest rock musicians, died on Thursday at the age of 72.

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The cause of his death has not yet been made public. Top Israeli officials tweeted their tributes to the rock legend, whose career spanned five decades.

"King of the guitar, a gifted composer and lyricist," President Isaac Herzog said. "His voice and melodies will be with us forever."

Outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid thanked Klepter for "providing a wonderful soundtrack to our lives, that will stay with us forever."

Nicknamed "Churchill," Klepter was plying his trade for some of the most famous Israeli groups, such as Kaveret, Ahrit Al-Yim, and Tsilil, and penned hits for Arik Einstein. Among key titles he has composed are "Taking The Time," "Tilil Mi'un," "My Love Is Not His Love," "Bedouin Love Song," and "Free Imagination."

Born in Haifa, Klepter grew up in Tel Aviv, the hub of Israeli culture. He built his first guitar out of planks and fishing lines when he was 13. At the age of 15, he founded his first band, the Churchills, with Haim Romano, Miki Gabrielov, and others. After his military service, he embarked on a prolific career as a session guitarist and a songwriter-for-hire.

He then launched a successful solo career in the 1980s, recording his debut album "Yitzhak" in 1981, which included the hits "We met" and "My love is not his love." At the same time, he continued to compose for other leading artists and signed several soundtracks for films that were part of popular culture.

A heavy smoker, Klepter experienced various health problems over the past two decades. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2000, then hospitalized in 2011 and 2018 following complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

 This article was first published by i24NEWS.

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Singer Yuval Dayan, who sparked a tsunami of backlash when she declined, on grounds of modesty, to shake hands with US President Joe Biden during his visit to Israel, has published a video from US Ambassador Tom Nides on her Instagram page.

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Dayan added a message of her own: "Enormous thanks to all [my] supporters. I completely forgive those who were nasty. For those who are worried about US President Joe Biden's honor, here's his answer to you."

Nides delivers his message, on behalf of Biden, directly to the camera, and thanks her on behalf of the American people for her beautiful singing.

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