(live here) – The singer Yoav Eliasi, known as "The Shadow," posted a statement on social media claiming that Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav canceled his joint performance with Subliminal on the eve of Independence Day in the city due to their political views. The statement led to a wide wave of reactions and provoked sharp questions about freedom of expression, gagging, politics and art.
Shadow claim: Cancellation of the performance for political reasons
In a post published yesterday, Monday, Hatzel claimed that his and Subliminal's performance on the eve of Independence Day in Haifa was canceled not because of problematic content, but because of his personal and political views. He said that the announcement of the cancellation of the performance was not given to him directly but was published through the media, a move he defined as "a show of classic hypocrisy" on the part of the mayor.
The Shadow wrote:
“Meet Yona Yahav, the mayor of Haifa – the man who talks about freedom of expression and pluralism, as long as the opinions are the same as his.” He allegedly threatened to take legal action against the municipality, adding that it is not too late to reverse the decision.
The Shadow and Subliminal's lawyer, Attorney Yaniv Lankari"Cancelling the performance is a serious violation of the principles of democracy":
"If indeed the performance was canceled due to my clients' personal positions - which are not at all reflected in the musical content they bring - then this is a desecration of democracy in the city of Haifa, which claims to serve as an example of a plurality of opinions and coexistence. In addition, this is a violation of a well-organized contract signed with the municipality. If the mayor does not reverse his extreme decision within 24 hours, we will use all the legal tools at our disposal. Unfortunately, the costs of the proceedings will ultimately fall on the public - the same public that is expecting my clients' performance." Attorney Lankari concludes with a firm statement: "To be continued."
Online reactions: From total support to harsh criticism
The post received widespread response on social media, with over 1,400 comments in just a few hours. Most of the commenters expressed support for Soy, claiming that it was political discrimination and promising to support him in his fight, including legal action if necessary. Several commenters suggested that he perform in other cities, where, they said, he would be "more welcome."
On the other hand, some of the commenters expressed support for Yahav's decision. One of them wrote: "Until today I haven't voted for Yahav, but now I will start." These comments reflect the split in Haifa and Israeli public opinion in general, regarding freedom of expression and its limits.
Another post: The Shadow Compares His Appearance to a Controversial Appearance
This morning, Hatzel posted another post, in which he compared the cancellation of his performance to another performance, which he claimed took place about a month ago at Beit HaGefen in the city: "Last month, he brought Mona Hua, the terrorist supporter Yona Yahav, to perform at Beit HaGefen in a show that people thought was degrading and anti-Semitic, but he canceled a performance by Subliminal and Hatzel because they are too right-wing."
The question of freedom of expression at municipal events
The uproar surrounding the cancellation of the performance has re-raised a fundamental question: Do public institutions and municipalities have the right to prevent performances by artists because of their opinions? And if so, is this censorship or a legitimate decision made in the name of unity and connection on a national holiday?
The incident is reminiscent of previous cases in which artists with controversial backgrounds have caused similar uproar. For example, singer Eyal Golan's performance in Haifa in the past was accompanied by demonstrations and fierce opposition, despite his great popularity.
Reactions from the political system: "A deep ideological rift"
The issue did not remain within the confines of entertainment. There were clear voices in the local political system, mainly from right-wing council members, who claimed that this was an anti-democratic measure that violated freedom of expression.
Council member Tatiana John from the Yisrael Beiteinu faction She said that although she is not a fan of Subliminal and the Shadow, it is not clear to her why it is legitimate to violate the two's freedom of expression, when a few weeks ago, when there was a storm over the play "The Bath Queen", the reason for allowing it to be performed was to prevent violations of freedom of expression. "During the war, when dozens of hostages were in the hands of Hamas monsters, anti-Zionist demonstrations were approved in Haifa, demonstrations against our heroic IDF soldiers on the grounds that freedom of expression cannot be violated. It cannot be right to prevent the freedom of expression of Subliminal and the Shadow, because their opinion is contrary to the opinion of the mayor, but those who share his opinion can demonstrate, perform and express their opinion freely."
City Council member Yaniv Ben-Shoshan from the Likud: "This is a testament to the city's poverty that the head of the city boycotts an artist just because of his opinions. It is not possible for BDS supporters and anti-Zionist hate speech to take to the stage – this is 'freedom of speech'. But when a right-wing artist expresses an opinion – they silence him."
Council member Eli Ben Dayan of the Likud also attacked the decision: "Do we really want to start sorting performances by political opinions? Today it's Subliminal and Tzel - tomorrow others will be disqualified. There is no place for censorship in the city of Haifa!"
The CEO of the organization in question, Shai Glick, joined the claims about the selective use of the right to freedom of expression. "The reality in which the Haifa Municipality funds hostile elements like the Sard Arab Theater, which hosts a comedian who mocks the hostages, hosts events in support of terrorists with blood on their hands, and screens anti-Israeli films, or a place like Beit Ha-Gefen, which allows actress Mona Hua, who denied the horrors of the massacre, to perform there, or BDS activists to be hosted freely, but it is precisely the shadow of a patriotic Zionist Jew that it pursues, is delusional. If the mayor is fighting extremists, he is welcome to look left and right to oust Raja Zaatara and Sally Abed, to close the Sard Theater and Beit Ha-Gefen, and only then the shadow. Simply hypocrisy and shame."
Support for the municipality's decision from council members from the left
From the other side of the political map, voices supporting the municipality's decision were raised. Councilwoman Sally Abed from the "Most of the City" faction claimed:
"Too right-wing is not the story. We are against persecution, but we distinguish between freedom of expression and freedom from racism and incitement. Haifa is a tolerant and pluralistic city, and we will keep it as such."
According to her, the selection of artists for Independence Day Eve should be made in accordance with the values of inclusion and not division, and a performance that includes offensive content, even if indirectly, is not appropriate for an event that unites all of the city's citizens.
The municipality's position: Independence Day is a day of unity.
The Haifa Municipality responded: "Independence Day is a day of unity – out of a desire to enable a joint celebration for all residents of Haifa, and this is how the events are structured in a city that is a symbol of coexistence. The artists that the municipality will fund are those who connect and not divide."
The response reflects the official position of the city's leadership, which sees its responsibility in creating events that include all sectors and communities in the city, and not as a platform for public or political confrontations.
Canceling the show as part of a wider trend
The uproar surrounding Shadow and Subliminal is not unusual. In recent years, we have witnessed many cases in which artists have been disqualified due to past statements or political opinions. The phenomenon has sparked a broad debate about the role of public culture, artistic freedom, and whether authorities should intervene in such considerations.
The line between freedom of expression and public responsibility has become particularly thin, and the current storm surrounding the eve of Independence Day in Haifa illustrates how fraught and unresolved this question is.
It's a good thing they canceled this dark racist's performance.
He will pay out of pocket.
There is nothing so extreme.
There are legal and illegal ones,
I'm from Haifa, on the one hand I wouldn't be happy to watch a shadow perform on a central city stage, he's a divisive factor.
On the other hand, I'm also not sure that a public institution should censor it for a political reason. If it were a private institution, then it would be more legitimate.
But on the other hand, there were and are enough municipalities and public institutions that censor artists and left-wing figures both on and after Independence Day.
On the fourth hand, perhaps it doesn't make sense to let a political activist from the right or left (Hatzel or Tamer Nafar, for example) hold a musical performance on a day that is supposed to be unifying and not political.
On the other hand, perhaps his opinions are less relevant because it's just a musical performance of a few songs, there won't be a speech or political monologue of any kind, and that's just an excessive step.
On the other hand (!), maybe it's simply a matter of delegating powers to local authorities and urban character. It doesn't make sense for Tzel to appear at Atmaut in Haifa or Tel Aviv, just as it doesn't make sense for Nafar to appear at Ofakim, or for Dana International to appear in Bnei Brak.
A signed contract is another thing, it must be honored or compensation must be paid if it is violated.
In addition, it is not accurate to say that the shadow represents "half of the people", it more represents the deep or radical right in the form of Ben Gvir and Feiglin. Most of the people are in the center and you can't paint the entire right in shades of Otzma Yehudit. Haifa won't cancel a performance by Eden Ben Zaken because she is right-wing.
Placing Yoav Eliasi opposite Tamer Nafar is an outrageous symmetry.
Yoav Elassi expresses right-wing opinions just as Gila Almagor or Assaf Amdursky express left-wing opinions, and no municipality boycotts them.
What are they talking about in the municipality? They allow such scoundrels to be at the municipality table. They allow hate marches and for terrorism and Gaza, yes???? And for those who are for the state and for IDF soldiers, no? Are you normal there in the Haifa municipality?
shame
Then they wonder why our young people are leaving and how Bled and Hadash are getting stronger in the elections.
A storm in a teacup. The city's residents are mostly not in favor of hate speech, racism, and incitement. There is no need to spoil the atmosphere in the city and bring in controversial artists and cause unrest. They will take the money and go their own way, and we want peace without riots.
Haifa has always been a mixed city with a rich and diverse fabric.
Normal life.
Speaking of the addiction to silence until it breaks out in 7/10 or The Guardian of the Walls?
Coexistence here is an invention and a washed-up word for concession/surrender/escape/assimilation.
In true coexistence, mutual agreements must be reached for the separation of peoples into separate territories and states.
A sad day and a bad day for the city of Haifa. Supporting people who deny the massacre, calling IDF soldiers murderers is not divisive, but it's sadder that Jews denounce Jews because of an opinion and have no problem embracing and raising donations for my children and denying the massacre with them. Does freedom of speech exist?
Why did you invite him in the first place?
What do they want from Jonah? Maybe he is afraid and aligning himself like many mayors in Europe, in Marseille, London, and Malmo, where the demographics are changing and the children of the veterans are leaving the mixed city for the cities of Lewin and many are migrating there from the villages, and he is trying to reduce demonstrations by the strong electoral force in the city - the leftists and their cousins - and reduce friction.
In my opinion, as a right-winger, there is no point in complaining to Yona about this matter. Right-wingers in Haifa already understand that they are in a minority that is getting smaller year by year and are already afraid to go to a performance by a right-wing artist or express their opinion (maybe only by word of mouth in anonymous comments..)
I don't know about this, what is a right-wing artist? Eden Ben Zaken is also a right-winger, does that also apply to her? What performance by a right-wing artist was scheduled or canceled? To express an opinion, on what platform? It's not like people hold political discussions on the streets and right-wingers are excluded from it.
He didn't come to give a lecture all about singing, great, now this pigeon will have another reason to steal money from the residents.
Anti-patriots
Anti-Semites who support terrorism are allowed to appear despite their opinions. But subliminal and the shadow are not why. Yona Yahav is a hypocrite. Kaplanist. The left should boycott him and the left in the next elections so that he stays with his views that support Hamas. Shame on you.
Jonah reveals his greatness. Finally someone who isn't afraid of this idiot
Our patience towards the Arabs who live among us, they behaved like war, they went out in demonstrations. Against the soldiers. And they did not strengthen us. I do not see them as part of the residents of Haifa, they do whatever they want. Patience is the special lack of the municipality towards the Arab public and no special treatment for the Jews, hag
"Meet Yona Yahav, the mayor of Haifa – the man who talks about freedom of expression and pluralism, as long as the opinions are the same as his." In my opinion – local authorities should pull their hands away from organizing "cultural" shows in general.
Congratulations on canceling Subliminal, in my humble opinion, emptiness and content that is mostly extreme right-wing political is not compatible with a holiday and joy. And Jonah did well to cancel the phenomenon and the performance.
Councilwoman Sally Abed from the "Most of the City" faction claimed:
"Too right-wing is not the story. We are against persecution, but we distinguish between freedom of expression and freedom from racism and incitement. Haifa is a tolerant city…
Did Sally work against incitement even when it came from an Arab platform against Jews???
The problem is selectivity.
Mayor Yona Yahav is on the left side of the political map, and that's how he conducts himself.
"Did Sally work against incitement even when it came from Arabs against Jews?" When was there such incitement in Haifa? Maybe yes and maybe no, I assume you don't follow it closely enough to know.
Maybe it's selectivity, or maybe it's a matter of urban character. It doesn't make sense for Dana International to appear at the Independence in Bnei Brak, right?
Fascism and Nazism must be stopped at all costs.
Councilwoman Sally Abed from the "Most of the City" faction claimed:
"Too right-wing is not the story. We are against persecution, but we distinguish between freedom of expression and freedom from racism and incitement. Haifa is a tolerant city…
Did Sally work against incitement even when it was by Arabs against Jews???
The problem is the selectivity.
Mayor Yona Yahav is on the left side of the political map, and this is how he conducts himself…
This is a dictatorship in its own right. This is how people whose opinions differ from others are eliminated.
Shame on the mayor and the Haifa municipality.
This is precisely democracy defending itself against its fascist enemies.
Dictatorship, that's what we have today, and what Yona Yahav did is very good. Right-wing extremists must not be given a platform, certainly not on Independence Day.
Congratulations to Yona Yahav!!!