Shlomo Artzi talks about the situation at Hichal Menorah, March 2, 2023 (public relations)
The musician Shlomo Artzi decided to give up the Israel Prize in protest of the legal revolution.
Artzi said: "I am very grateful to the Israel Prize committee for deciding to award me the prize in the field of Hebrew singing. It excites me and it is a great honor for me as a singer and a creator. But at the current time, when our country is wounded and divided, I feel that it is difficult for me to accept the prize and therefore I am sadly forced to give up For this great honor.
"I have been singing for over 50 years to everyone, and everyone has always been loved and worthy in my eyes, without distinguishing between political, secular, religious, sectarian or gender thinking.
To be part of the soundtrack of the State of Israel - this is the real prize I won.
I tremble in my whole body and soul because I am full of worry about the division, the rift, the fracture we have fallen into.
Please stop, speak, and the land will be quiet.
Because the prize of Israel that I wish the most for us and for myself is the beloved, embracing, democratic Israel to which I have served all my life and on which I grew up in my 73 years and in which I raised my children and grandchildren."
Shlomo Artzi (Photo: Yehats)
Yonatan Rieger announced on News 12 that the Israel Prize committee for a Hebrew singer unanimously decided to award the prize to Shlomo Artzi.
They fumbled with my countryman's people and understood from him that he would refuse to accept the award.
Yaron Avraham added that the investigations of Education Minister Yoav Kish made him realize that my country does not want to get into this story and that there was no conversation between him and the minister.
Instead of Israel, he will receive the Sheral Award in the field of Hebrew singer Yossi Halevi - known as Declon, one of the pioneers of Israeli Mediterranean music.
The award committee stated that "in his poetry, Daklon gave a unique touch to the Hebrew singer and it reflects his unique personality: Naim Zmirot Yisrael".
The committee also stated in the reasons for the selection that "Deklon is known for his pleasant and modest personality and is admired by listeners of all shades of the spectrum in Israeli society and is also an object of appreciation and imitation by his fellow artists."
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Shlomo Artzi