Israeli daily Maariv on Thursday quoted Avi Dichter, a member of the Israeli Knesset and former Minister of Internal Security, as saying that the Israeli authorities have decided to prevent Palestinian singer and Arab Idol star Mohammed Assaf from visiting the occupied Palestinian territories.
Dichter was also quoted as saying that his country was examining the possibility of calling for the cancelation of all of Assaf’s events in the United Arab Emirates, where he lives with his wife.
Has singing for #Palestine become an act of terror?
Israeli Knesset member, Avi Dichter says that "Israel" will no longer permit the Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf to enter the occupied territories, and will discuss, with the UAE, stopping his "inciting activities." pic.twitter.com/5i8kKRJf0u
— Quds News Network (@Qudsn_en) October 15, 2020
Palestinian Minister of Culture Atef Abu Seif condemned today the Israeli incitement campaign against the young well-known singer, describing it as an episode in its war against Palestinian arts and culture.
Abu Seif pointed out that “the Israeli occupation’s campaign against artist Mohammed Assaf comes as part of its war against Palestinian arts and culture,” and that “the incitement carried out by the occupation against Assaf is against the Palestinian national culture that is committed to defending the rights of our people.”
Support The Palestine Chronicle, and help us spread the truth on #Palestine!https://t.co/kJk5ALwnC8 pic.twitter.com/UpYWJqbCy2
— @palestinechron (@PalestineChron) October 13, 2020
“This Israeli campaign and incitement against Palestinian arts and against one of the stars of Palestine — who carry to the world the voice and story of our people suffering under the occupation — will not succeed in undermining the eternal message of the Palestinian artists and their struggle,” said Abu Seif.
(Palestine Chronicle, WAFA, Social Media)
