As Israel’s relentless genocide in Gaza continues to claim the lives of thousands of Palestinian civilians, strong reactions are rising in Türkiye against attempts to host concerts by Zionist-linked artists.

The Prophet’s Lovers Foundation and the Free Jerusalem Platform have jointly called on Turkish authorities to cancel the scheduled performance of Zionist singer Enrico Macias in Istanbul.

Macias is set to perform on Friday, September 5, at the Şişli Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theater. The decision to host him has sparked outrage among the public, particularly as Palestinian children, women, and elderly continue to die of starvation and under bombardment in Gaza.

This protest echoes earlier campaigns in Türkiye. In May, public outcry led to the cancellation of a concert by Jewish singer Linet after calls from HÜDA PAR Istanbul Provincial Chairman Mehmet Eşin. Similarly, in June, a planned performance by Jonathan Keren, a musician serving in the Israeli army orchestra, was also met with heavy backlash.

Despite these clear signals of public disapproval, some artists openly supporting Israel’s occupation continue to be invited to perform in Türkiye—causing distress among the conscience of society.

Speaking to ILKHA, Ercan Vergili, Coordinator of the Prophet’s Lovers Foundation in Marmara, strongly criticized the decision to host Enrico Macias:

“Who is this man? He comes from an Algerian Jewish family who fled Algeria in 1961 for supporting French colonialists against the Algerian independence struggle. His past is marked by hostility towards Islam and Muslims. Now, at a time when our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza are being slaughtered before the eyes of the world, when even millions of non-Muslims cry out ‘enough is enough’ and states impose sanctions on Israel, this man is being brought to Türkiye. When thousands from across the globe are joining the Sumud Fleet to deliver food to starving babies and women in Gaza, is this concert not a reaction against the reaction? It is nothing less than a clear stance in favor of oppression.”

Vergili stressed that the event could not be treated as an “innocent concert”. “This concert is unacceptable. As Prophet Lovers and civil society organizations, we will stand firmly against it. We call on all conscientious citizens to express their objections. We urgently request that the Istanbul Governor’s Office cancel this event. Moreover, our foreign relations authorities must not allow such Zionist figures—who risk provoking our society during this sensitive period—to enter Türkiye or carry out activities here.”

The Prophet’s Lovers Foundation and the Free Jerusalem Platform have long been at the forefront of organizing activities that guide society towards justice and peace. Their latest appeal reflects a wider movement in Türkiye, where artists linked to the Israeli occupation are increasingly being met with rejection.

At a time when Gaza faces famine, destruction, and the systematic targeting of civilians, many view the hosting of Zionist-linked singers in Türkiye as a direct insult to the suffering of the Palestinian people. (ILKHA)