The singer and composer Aviv Gefen, who in recent years has become closer to the religious and ultra-Orthodox sector, claims this evening (Monday) that there are elements calling for him to return to the days of hatred.
“A lot of people here recently are calling me to return to the hatred of the religious and the settlers, such a crooked nostalgia,” Gefen wrote on Twitter and clarified: “Having the other is neither democracy nor the left.. Relax.”
Nearly two years ago, in front of an audience of thousands, many of whom wore kippahs, Avraham Fried and Aviv Gefen appeared, who found the event a worthy opportunity to say a few sentences from the heart about his feelings towards the religious community.
At an event produced by the newspaper “Bassheva” Aviv Gefen said, “It is unnecessary to tell you how important the performance is and it moves me in a special way. A person should admit his mistakes. In the distant past I wrote some sentences out of ignorance and not out of knowledge and understanding and I offended many people, and I was taught to say Sorry, so I want to say today from this stage, I’m sorry if I hurt any of you,” he said to the applause of the audience.
The audience stood up and continued cheering for Aviv when he spoke about the Corona period and its consequences for Israeli society as divisive and polarizing. “I saw many of my friends, mainly from Bnei Brak, in their apartments suffering and getting sick and going through very, very difficult times and the gap in Israel was getting bigger and bigger, and I think it’s time to get a little closer and understand that Israel is one home for everyone,” he said and mentioned the musical friendship that had recently been forged between him and Avraham Fareed.
Gefen also said that when his son, Dylan, came to the mitzvot, it was important to him that he observe it according to the Torah, which was not the case with the son’s friends. “I told Dylan, you are Jewish, you are Israeli, and as your father it is important to me that you go up to the Torah at the Bar Mitzvah.”
“I feel that a wonderful friendship has begun between us today,” he said, mentioning his grandfather, Shem Tov Gefen, whose name is buried in a square in Bnei Brak, and expressed hope that this friendship would strengthen in the future. Gefen dedicated the song ‘Ori Oor’ to the audience as an expression of his concern for the future of the country and the future of society in Israel.
“My mother hasn’t come to concerts since she was 25 and this is where she came,” he told the audience. “I will sing with Fried, ‘Who is the man who wants Chaim,'” he said, wearing a cap on his head.