Turkish Singing Prodigy Ajar Returns to Israel for First Time in 20 Years

Turkish singer Ajar is set to perform in Israel on August 31 as a guest at a concert by Israeli singer Moshik Afia, held at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv. The event is organized by Avi Guetta, and Ajar has received all necessary approvals to enter Israel, including clearance from the Shin Bet security agency. Two days ago, Ajar expressed on a live TikTok broadcast his anticipation for final confirmation from the Israeli consulate regarding his visit and performance alongside his longtime friend Afia.

Born in Istanbul, Ajar began singing at a young age and came to Israel in 1988 at age 11 without his family, aided by a Turkish violinist performing in Israel. He gained recognition in Israel for Turkish melancholic songs during his youth. Despite struggles with drug addiction and being deported for illegal stay, he returned to Israel under a false identity. At 18, he reverted to the name Ajar and fathered a child in Israel out of wedlock. He performed in clubs and released several albums, including a 1997 collaboration with the Israeli band Ethnix on the song "Gola Gola."

Ajar left Israel in 1997, partly due to his mother's illness, returning to Turkey. He revisited Israel in 2007 to record two songs with Tamir Gal and was featured in a 2008 documentary about his life directed by Yamin Mesika. Multiple previous attempts to bring him back to Israel failed until now, when he will appear at Afia's fifth concert at the Menora Mivtachim Arena.