"Double morality: in Russia you cancel a show but in Israel you do not cancel?": Nick Kyiv responds to criticism | Israel today

Nick Cave canceled a show in Russia earlier this week due to the war and declared that he "stands by Ukraine and prays that the madness will end soon".

In doing so, the esteemed Australian singer joined artists and bands such as Iggy Pop, Green Day and Franz Ferdinand, who also canceled performances in the invading country.

But in the case of Kyiv, his cancellation notice took a slightly different turn.

A Turkish fan named Ahmet slammed the singer as a hypocrite, as in 2017 Kyiv refused to cancel two performances in Israel, despite much criticism from pro-Palestinian organizations.

Nick Kyiv: The BDS actions pushed me to perform in Israel, Archive

During his visit to Israel, Kyiv told the local media at the time that "in the end, I am here for two reasons: the first reason is because I love Israel and the Israelis, and the second reason is that I am against anyone trying to censor and silence musicians."

The same Ahmet well remembered Kyiv's statements in favor of music and against politicization.

The fan even published in the singer's personal and uncensored website, The Red Hand Files, a poignant post in which he claimed that Israel is also an occupying state, and therefore the situation of Palestine is the same as the situation of Ukraine.

Nick Kyiv in Israel, Photo: Coco

"What bothers me about your statement about Ukraine," Ahmet wrote, "is that you did not support the Palestinians, who also suffer from a brutal regime. In fact, you described Israel as a functioning democracy, but in my opinion Israel is first and foremost responsible for Palestinian suffering. "Because you represent a double standard here," the Turkish fan concluded.  

But the story does not end here, as Kyiv chose to reply to Ahmet in a long and detailed letter, in which he stressed that "Russia's invasion of Ukraine is very different from the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. "The whole situation is a complex friction between two peoples. The conflicts are similar in that innocent people, who share a tragic fate, are forced to hide in shelters. I feel great sympathy for all these communities - no matter where they are and who they are."

Kyiv added that although he did not want to elaborate on his views on the Israeli / Palestinian conflict, he certainly supported the Palestinians as well, noting that for the past twenty years he has been involved in many fundraising events for them.

"But this is not a time for arguments, Ahmet," the singer clarified.

"It is time to unite and support the Ukrainians, who are currently experiencing a catastrophe on their land. I have great fans in Russia, and I know that many Russians strongly oppose the actions of the Putin regime. If I could play for them - I would do it."

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