Eurovision star Amir Haddad faced a pro-Palestinian protest during his performance in France. His response highlights the complex role of Israeli artists on the international stage.
During a festive concert in France, Amir Haddad – who represented France at Eurovision 2016 and has become one of the most prominent Israeli artists in Europe – encountered an unusual political protest: several audience members waved Palestinian flags in front of him, precisely during an emotional moment as he sang in memory of his grandmother. Amir, who has never hidden his support for Israel, chose not to ignore the situation and responded from the stage: “This is a message of peace. I pray that you will have love in your hearts and room for peace.”
The event took place at the “Fête de la Musique” festival in the city of Lens, France, and quickly stirred social media in both France and Israel.
Political Protest on Stage: A Trend Shaking Europe
Musical performances in France and across Europe have increasingly become platforms for political debate this year: pro-Palestinian bands such as Kneecap in Ireland and Bob Wylan in the United Kingdom have incorporated strong political messages into their shows, including calls against Israel.
The case of Amir illustrates how Israeli artists, even those representing other countries, become focal points for protest – especially in an era when international competitions like Eurovision are seen as broadcasting global values of tolerance and coexistence. On social media, there was a sense of pride in Haddad’s measured response, alongside criticism of using cultural events to promote extreme messages.
Between Protest and Unity – The Challenge for Israeli Artists in Europe
Performances like that of Amir Haddad highlight the complex dilemma faced by Israeli artists on the international stage. On one hand – tremendous success, enthusiastic audiences, and prestigious awards; on the other – dealing with protests, boycotts, and political pressures, sometimes even from industry colleagues. Experience shows that a composed response, like Haddad’s, is widely respected – not only in Israel, but also among European audiences seeking messages of reconciliation.
However, some believe that silence or restraint is not enough, and that artists should be required to take a clearer stance. On social media, the words “pride” and “complexity” appeared repeatedly – pride in the Israeli representation, and complexity regarding how it is received worldwide.
An Israeli Moment in Yarkon Park: Amir Haddad Joins Offer Nissim at the Pride Concert
This year, the Pride Concert by Offer Nissim in Yarkon Park – a record-breaking event attracting tens of thousands of revelers from across the country—received a particularly moving boost: a joint performance by Offer Nissim and Amir Haddad. The meeting between one of the world’s leading DJs and the Israeli-French artist who conquered Europe is expected to be one of the evening’s highlights – alongside performances by Ninet Tayeb and “HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision” judge Eden Hasson.
Haddad, known for his messages of reconciliation and connection, will join Nissim for a powerful performance before a massive audience, adding an international touch to Israel’s biggest party of the year. For many attendees – including Eurovision fans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and longtime admirers – this will be a moment of pure Israeli pride, connecting culture, music, and identity, and demonstrating the power of the local stage to become a symbol of openness, inclusion, and unity.
Future Impact: Is Eurovision 2025 Signaling a New Trend?
The events surrounding Amir Haddad and similar cases across Europe point to a clear trend: the music stage is increasingly becoming an arena for political and social debate. Alongside the challenges, there is also an opportunity – to present Israel as an open, diverse, and peace-seeking country, and to influence European public opinion through culture and music.
In recent years, the influence of Eurovision has only grown -and Amir Haddad, with his unique voice and personal story, continues to serve as an ambassador of Israeli pride on the international stage.
Amir Haddad and the Eurovision Connection
Amir Haddad is a prominent example of an artist embodying Eurovision’s international spirit: born in France, he immigrated to Israel as a child, and today represents both countries in the music world. Known by his stage name “Amir”, he first gained recognition in Israel when he appeared on the fourth season of “Kochav Nolad”, and later achieved widespread international acclaim. He became especially famous in France after finishing third in the French version of “The Voice” in 2014, amassing a significant fan base.
In 2016, he was chosen to represent France at Eurovision, finishing in sixth place – the country’s highest achievement since 2002. The song was a commercial success in Europe, especially in France, Belgium, and Switzerland, where it entered the top charts. Many fans remember his emotional performance and his special connection to Israel – for example, during a performance in France wearing a shirt featuring the Bibas family symbols after their tragic loss.
The song “J’ai Cherché” became an international hit, selling hundreds of thousands of copies, and opened doors for Haddad in the French and European music industries. Over the years, Haddad has released five albums, with many songs achieving chart success in Europe. His notable hits include “On Dirait” and “Au cœur de moi”, both of which were highly successful in France and Europe. Haddad has won the “Songwriter of the Year” award in France three times and was named MTV France’s “Singer of the Year”. In 2023, he collaborated with pop star Jason Derulo on the song “Il y a”, which also achieved media and chart success.
France at Eurovision 2025
“maman” (in English: “Mom”) is the title of the song to be performed by the singer, Louane, who represented France at Eurovision 2025, in Basel, Switzerland. France finished seventh in the final with 230 points. France was ranked third by the judges, but the young singer received only 14th place from the public vote. The seventh place overall was considered low compared to France’s pre-contest odds, where it was ranked third.
This marks the second consecutive year that France has finished in the top 10 at the Eurovision final.
Eurovision 2025 was France’s 66th participation in Eurovision. France joined the competition in 1956 and has won it five times over the years. France’s last victory was in Eurovision 1977 with the song “L’Oiseau et l’Enfant” performed by singer Marie Myriam.
