Nine years ago this week, Chrissie Hynde, the leader of the world-famous rock band The Pretenders, took to the stage at Tel Aviv’s Menorah Mivtahim Arena, waving a giant Israeli flag, as the appreciative crowd in the sold-out venue roared its approval.
Imagine a similar scene taking place today, because that’s what one would have to do, as the actuality of it happening – with Hynde or with anyone else of her stature – is virtually unfathomable in the post-October 7 massacre demonization of Israel that has taken place globally.
Israel has virtually – at best – been shunned by the international artistic community; at worst, exercised by the Mark Ruffalos and Javier Bardems of the world, it has become the stomping ground for accusations and half-truths bordering on rabid antisemitism.
More nuanced, and perhaps even more worrisome, is the black hole that British pop superstar Ed Sheeran fell into for trying to diffuse the whole Macklemore “Free Palestine” cancellation scandal that made headlines worldwide.
Sheeran attempted to express understanding and empathy for both sides in the conflict, saying: “What happened in Israel and at the Nova music festival on October 7th was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain.”
FILE PHOTO: Ed Sheeran performs during the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball concert at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, US, December 12, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Kylie Cooper/File Photo)
Even though he then implied that Israel was responsible for the “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate” situation in Gaza, Sheeran was vilified by the pro-Palestinian community.
That’s why when an artist shows full frontal support for Israel – in words and actions – it’s vital to point it out. American comedian and actor Michael Rappaport and British 1980s pop singer Boy George have unabashedly stood by Israel since the October 7 massacre. Rappaport has visited and performed in the country numerous times, and he’ll be returning next week to headline the biannual Comedy for Koby comedy series throughout the country.
The non-Jewish George this year released a song – “We Will Dance Again” – in which he eulogized the victims of the Supernova music festival, criticized those who claim Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, and declared: “I stand with the Jews.” On Tuesday, he announced that he’ll be coming to Israel in November to perform in Tel Aviv.
Rappaport, George, along with a paltry few others, have bucked the trend and put their consciences ahead of their careers by not hiding their heads in the sand. Which raised the disturbing question: Why haven’t more artists – Jewish and gentile – done the same?
Where are Bob Dylan, Paul Simon?
Where has Bob Dylan been the last three years, or Paul Simon, two of the most influential Jewish artists of the 20th century? They know very well that Israel doesn’t deliberately kill Palestinian children or commit genocide. They easily could have showed up with an acoustic guitar and given a morale boost to the country, much like Leonard Cohen did during the Yom Kippur War in 1973.
On the contrary, Simon’s only public expression since October 7, 2023, was to sign a petition calling for the release from prison of Marwan Barghouti, who is serving multiple life sentences for the murders of Israelis. Dylan has been silent.
Likewise, why hasn’t Madonna – who has visited Israel numerous times – made a quick visit to Tel Aviv and shown the world that even if Israel may have made mistakes over the last three years, it still is a country that doesn’t deserve to be demonized for defending itself?
Why hasn’t U2 frontman Bono – who so eloquently eulogized the victims of the Supernova music festival from a US stage and who has appeared in Israel – made a symbolic visit?
Easier to stay silent than to address Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Sometimes, as Ed Sheeran learned, it’s easier to say nothing than to wade into the minefields of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – which makes those who do jump in and stand with good vs evil all the more admirable.
In November, when he performs at the same arena that Hynde did nine years ago, George will undoubtedly reenact the flag-waving scene, and the crowd will once again shake the rafters in pride.
He deserves all the credit in the world for his willingness to ride against the tide by standing with Israel – not only in spirit, but with his glittery shoes on the ground in Tel Aviv.
But it raises the glaring question: Where is everyone else? The answer, it seems, is blowing in the morally subjective wind.