Israeli Singer Kobi Oz Responds to Right-Wing Supporter Boycotting His Concert Over Politics

Kobi Oz, lead singer of the band Teapacks, publicly addressed a right-wing supporter of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who announced he would boycott Oz's concert due to the singer's political views. In a lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter) on July 28, 2026, Oz explained that he has always been politically engaged, with his songs expressing clear opinions. He emphasized that he does not belong to a generation of artists who remain silent for the sake of campaigns or popularity.

Oz elaborated that political expression and artistic creation are not mutually exclusive, citing his admiration for other politically active Israeli musicians such as Ariel Zilber, Amir Benayoun, and Naomi Shemer, even when he disagreed with them. He also highlighted that the band Hadag Nahash, which he produces, is openly political and attributes its success to its transparency in political views.

Clarifying his own stance, Oz stated he is political but not partisan, remains undecided about whom he will vote for, and does not pledge loyalty to any single leader. He described politics as a means to improve the world and chooses representatives based on who best serves his family and country.

Addressing the boycotting supporter directly, Oz asserted his right to free expression and criticized the supporter for lacking democratic tolerance by refusing to attend performances by artists with differing views. He concluded by noting that the ideological gap between them is small and that he is simply not enthusiastic about a particular politician the supporter admires.

This exchange highlights ongoing tensions in Israel's cultural and political spheres, reflecting the challenges artists face when their political opinions intersect with their public careers.