Alon Oleartchik Withdraws Signature from Artists' Letter: “Never Meant to Cause Pain”
Israeli artists retract signatures from controversial open letter about Gaza war, with Alon Oleartchik and others clarifying positions amid backlash from bereaved families.
Following a wave of criticism, several Israeli artists who signed a controversial open letter calling for an end to the war in Gaza are clarifying their positions. Musician Alon Oleartchik announced he is withdrawing his name from the petition, stating he did not intend to hurt grieving families or hostage relatives.
“Dear friends, after much thought, I am removing my signature from the artists' letter,” Oleartchik posted on Instagram. “I see before me the bereaved families, some of whom I know personally, and I share their pain. I see the hostages and their loved ones, and I hold them in my heart. My intention was never to be part of something that causes additional suffering. My sole wish is to bring the hostages home.”
Other artists also responded to the backlash:
Yali Sobol: Not Criticizing Soldiers
Musician Yali Sobol emphasized that his criticism is not directed at Israeli soldiers. “From the start of the war, my most moving encounters have been with IDF soldiers in the north, the Gaza border, hospitals, and even neighbors returning to reserve duty. They carry heavy burdens, and I have deep empathy for them,” he wrote, expressing a desire for an end to the suffering on both sides and the immediate return of the hostages.
Shira Geffen: “No One Can Say They Didn’t Know”
Filmmaker and author Shira Geffen took a more radical tone, accusing Israel of “ethnic cleansing and genocide.” She stated, “From now on, anyone entering Gaza knows exactly why: to prepare the land for settlements. Genocide. And the killing of hostages. There’s no room left for apologies or edits. We’re all complicit.”
Hemi Rudner Calls for Immediate Ceasefire
Singer Hemi Rudner published his own version of the letter, saying, “We must stop the war in Gaza. It has no valid military or political justification and only causes unbearable suffering. Return the hostages immediately, and bring our soldiers home. Let’s go to elections, investigate the failures of October 7, and uphold our Jewish moral values.”
Sivan Talmor: “I’m on Our Side and I Also See the Truth”
Musician Sivan Talmor expressed her support for Israel, revealing that her husband served 160 days in Gaza, while she volunteered across the country. However, she added: “As a third-generation Holocaust survivor, I won’t accept innocent people starving or dying in my name on either side. We must fight our wars, but not lose our values.”
Assaf Amdursky Also Withdraws Support
Singer Assaf Amdursky, one of the original signatories, also retracted his support, saying parts of the letter do not reflect his views. “I apologize to anyone who was hurt,” he wrote, distancing himself from accusations that the IDF is deliberately harming civilians.
Backlash from Right and Center
The artists' letter, published Monday, condemned Israel’s conduct in Gaza, citing civilian deaths, displacement, and alleged war crimes. The letter urged military personnel to disobey illegal orders and uphold human values.
In response, singer Idan Amedi, a former soldier injured in Gaza, accused the signatories of spreading misinformation. “Privileged people echoing lies and ignorance,” he wrote, defending the IDF’s operations as proportionate and unprecedented in minimizing civilian harm.