Veteran musician Alon Olearchik, one of some 1,000 artists who signed a petition calling the IDF actions in Gaza “war crimes,” removed his name from the petition on Tuesday.
“Dear friends,” Olearchik wrote on Instagram Stories, “after consideration, I am removing my signature from the artists’ letter. I see before me the bereaved families, some of whom I know personally, and I feel their pain. I see the hostages and their families, and I embrace them with all my heart. This was not my intention, nor was it my desire, to place my name on a letter that causes pain. My only intention was to call for the return of the hostages.”
The petition, published in Yediot Aharonot, read: “In light of the horrifying events currently unfolding in Gaza, the cultural community recently issued a petition demanding an end to the atrocities. We, artists and cultural figures in Israel, find ourselves – against our will and values – complicit as Israeli citizens in the horrifying events taking place in Gaza: in particular, the killing of children and non-combatants, starvation, displacement of populations, and the senseless destruction of Gaza’s cities.”
Earlier in the day, the workers’ union of the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL) announced the cancellation of Olearchik’s performance as part of the organization’s summer events due to his signing of the petition.
Israel Goldstein, chairman of KKL’s national workers’ union, sent a letter to the fund’s chair saying:
“Recently, several Israeli artists signed a letter opposing the actions of IDF soldiers, calling to cease operations and even accusing the soldiers of war crimes. Among them was Alon Olearchik, who is performing under KKL sponsorship. In light of this, we demand an immediate end to all engagements with such artists, including the cancellation of any planned performances funded or supported by KKL.”
The organization reportedly rescinded the cancellation after Olearchik removed his signature.
Assaf Amdursky's withdrawal from petition
Singer-songwriter Assaf Amdursky – who had initially signed the petition, previously withdrew his support, posting on Instagram:
“I apologize to anyone who was hurt. Good people are interpreting this in unpleasant ways, and I regret that. I do not support the claim that the IDF is deliberately starving or harming civilians.”
The petition had drawn criticism from other artists, like actor/singer Idan Amedi, who responded earlier this week that those supporting it are “Disconnected and spreading fake news. Every house in Gaza contains antisemitic propaganda – from martyr posters to ‘With Blood and Fire We Will Reach Jerusalem’ stickers.
“[They are] a bunch of privileged people who continue to amplify stupidity, ignorance, and lies,” he wrote. “There is no army in the world that operates in such a densely populated area with such a relatively low number of civilian casualties. That’s a fact. Go check."