34 Injured in Indonesia as Protests Erupt Over Singer's Israel Support
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
Thirty-four people were injured, including 32 police officers, during protests in Jakarta, Indonesia, against an Italian opera singer's concert due to his perceived support for Israel. The Indonesian Ulema Council had called for the concerts' cancellation, citing his past involvement with Israeli military fundraisers and a concert in Tel Aviv. The singer had also expressed solidarity with Israeli hostages taken by Hamas, including Yaffa Adar and Segov Kalvon.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- 34 people were injured, including 32 police officers, during protests in Jakarta against an Italian opera singer.
- Protests were motivated by the singer's perceived support for Israel and solidarity with hostages.
- Indonesia's Ulema Council had called for the cancellation of the singer's concerts.
- The singer had previously performed in Tel Aviv and supported Israeli military fundraisers.
- The singer expressed solidarity with former hostages Yaffa Adar and Segov Kalvon.
Violent clashes broke out in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday, resulting in 34 injuries, including 32 police officers, one soldier, and one civilian, during protests against an Italian opera singer. Demonstrators opposed to the singer's presence attempted to storm the JIExpo Kemayoran complex where a concert was being held.
The protests were primarily fueled by the singer's perceived support for Israel and his solidarity with individuals held hostage by Hamas. Tensions began weeks prior when the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), a major Islamic body, called for the cancellation of the singer's concerts scheduled for October 31 and November 3. The MUI cited the singer's past involvement in a fundraiser for the Israeli military in 2010 and a concert in Tel Aviv in 2022 as reasons for their opposition.
Despite these pressures, concert organizers proceeded with the shows. The singer had also expressed support for Israelis abducted by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attacks. Notably, the family of Yaffa Adar, an 85-year-old hostage, stated that the singer's songs helped her cope during her captivity in Gaza. In response, the singer sent her a personal message of support. In December 2025, he met with another former Israeli hostage, Segov Kalvon, in Miami, further demonstrating his solidarity with survivors held by Hamas.
These humanitarian gestures are part of a long-standing connection the artist has with Israel. The current conflict in Gaza has amplified the sensitivity of these actions, particularly within Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.
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