Tel Aviv outdoor concert attracts tens of thousands amid Gaza rocket attacks
Israeli rock star Aviv Geffen’s outdoor concert in Tel Aviv attracted some 40,000 people on Thursday evening, despite incoming rockets from the Gaza Strip.
There is a long-established tradition in the Jewish state to carry on with daily life – within reason – despite ongoing threats of war and terrorism. Israel Defense Forces’ Home Front Command, therefor,e permitted the Geffen concert. Participants, however, received text messages with instructions on what to do in the case of a rocket alarm.
Geffen, who just turned 50, noted that extraordinary effort was put into his latest outdoor concert, which was held at the popular HaYarkon Park in Tel Aviv.
“Never has so much effort been put into a show of mine,” said Geffen.
The rock star told his fans that the show was a symbol of life.
“I’m here today with you, holding the performance, because this is a very important message… that we’ve chosen life,” said Geffen.
An emotional Geffen concluded by vowing that no one would ever succeed in silencing the people of Israel.
“No one will silence Israel, ever!” stated the rock star to thousands of cheering fans.
In an official statement on Saturday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for mediating a ceasefire between Israel and the terror organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza.
Israeli National Security Council (NSC) Director Tzachi Hanegbi stressed that “quiet will be met with quiet.”
An Egyptian official confirmed that Israel was “only willing to cease firing if the other side does too. No strings attached.”
During past Israel-Gaza conflicts, terror groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have continued firing rockets into Israel even after the official ceasefire had been declared.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
