Israeli pop star shows the human side of war
- Avihu Pinhasov, who threw a riotous ‘concert’ on an Israeli army base, got his soldiers disciplined but may have earned them more sympathy and understanding than their government
I have been listening to Avihu Pinhasov, the Israeli pop star whose impromptu performance for a unit of Israeli reservists on an army base turned into riotous partying. Clips of the “concert” have gone viral online. They featured the overweight singer stripped to his sequinned briefs, surrounded and cheered on by young and wild topless soldiers, some with rifles strapped on their backs. It was endearing, amusing, almost comedic.
Tired of Cantopop, J-pop, K-pop and Anglo-American pop and rock music, I have been tuning in to “world music”, whatever that means. I think Pinhasov is great, though the former Eurovision contestant is virtually unknown outside Israel. Now, unfortunately, thanks to the war in Palestine, he has suddenly become famous. If you want to ease yourself into Israeli pop, try his highly decadent version of David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance”, which I enjoyed more than the original.
After all the fog of war blown up by Israel and its backer the United States, I no longer trust any official statements they release. But somehow, Pinhasov made me see those young men – not inaccurately described as part of an army of occupation – as human beings who are caught up in a monumental tragedy not of their own making as much as anyone else. They have the right to live in peace and freedom, so do the Palestinians.
Against all the war propaganda, I suddenly see the human side of Israel. I don’t know if other viewers of the viral clips have the same reaction. But I find it ironic that many of the reservists were “punished” and sent home; some punishment! A few were disciplined, for conduct “not in line with army values”.
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Apparently, the base commanders were at first bemused by the wild party. After all, it was just young men letting off steam, who were being asked to kill or be killed. But after the video clips went viral, the top brass were not pleased.
Perhaps they should be pleased. Against all their efforts at disinformation and sometimes outright lies, their young soldiers showed that Jews or Gentiles are all human, after all. I have zero sympathy for the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, but I feel for those soldiers, who like most Israelis, deserve better leaders than their prime minister and most of his cabinet.
Invited there to boost morale, Pinhasov knew how to play to his raucous crowds. He first appeared in a white lab-protective suit with goggles, and jumped onto the bucket of a bulldozer waving the Israeli flag.
Later, he stripped down to his shiny underwear. His army fans went wild and enthusiastically “crowd-surfed” him by passing the almost naked singer over their heads like a rock star while he kept bellowing into his microphone. It was quite a feat, considering the weighty Pinhasov, whose love handles were clearly visible. Large amounts of alcohol were apparently involved.
Despite the army’s complaints, he said he would do it again on other army bases.
“If the army tells me to stop, I will not stop,” he said. “I’m with the soldiers, I’ll do what they want.”
Perhaps music could bring peace. Perhaps Pinhasov should be prime minister. After all, he couldn’t be worse than Netanyahu.
