Popular Israeli Singer Mooki Slams MK Ayman Odeh
After an attempted assault on MK Ayman Odeh during an anti-war protest, artist Mooki condemns the violence, while also accusing the lawmaker of exploiting democracy to “spread lies and hatred.”
Israeli singer Daniel Neyburger, better known as Mooki, known for his outspoken political views, has weighed in on the recent assault on MK Ayman Odeh during a protest in Ness Ziona. Speaking on Channel 12’s Avri and Sharkey, Mooki offered a complex response, denouncing the violent attack, yet also sharply criticizing the leader of the Hadash party.
“That man, Odeh, exploits democracy to spread lies, to spread evil, to sow division and incitement,” Mooki said. “I don’t want people smashing his car, and I don’t want to hear people yelling ‘Death to Arabs’, because that’s disgusting. But violence brings violence.”
The comments came after an incident Thursday night in which Odeh arrived at an anti-war demonstration to deliver a speech. Protesters, however, greeted him with hostility. Footage from the scene showed demonstrators spitting on his car windshield. After briefly fleeing the area, Odeh returned, only to have his vehicle’s window smashed by protesters shouting “terrorist.” Police eventually intervened, removing him from the speaker’s podium and dispersing the crowd.
The protest, though relatively small, drew strong reactions from right-wing activists opposed to Odeh’s presence. MK Ofer Cassif (Hadash) also attended the protest and was met with verbal abuse from demonstrators.
Mooki, who previously criticized the government during the judicial overhaul attempt and publicly called for its resignation, is no stranger to political discourse. His latest remarks reflect the deep polarization within Israeli society as tensions over the ongoing war continue to mount.
The assault on MK Odeh has sparked widespread debate, with some condemning the violence while others question the participation of Arab-Israeli politicians in protests against the war. The incident has reignited discussions about freedom of speech, incitement, and the fragile state of democratic norms in Israel today.