Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Glykeria attacked for 'collaborating with Zionists'
When Greek singer Glykeria performs the song "Shabechi Yerushalaim" in Israel, she receives heavy applause. But recently, when she sang the hit in Greece, the reactions were completely different.
Glykeria is extremely popular in Israel. She performs in the Jewish state and sings in the Hebrew language on a regular basis.
A group of Israeli businesspeople, who were present at a Glykeria gig at a nightclub in Athens last week, sent her a bouquet of flowers and asked her to sing the Hebrew song "Shabechi Yerushalaim." Glykeria accepted.
The performance was held while the IDF was operating in the Gaza Strip. The club was packed, not only with Greek and Israeli fans, but also with a group of Arabs, some of them Palestinians.
As Glykeria started singing the song in Hebrew, the Arab viewers started shouting, whistling out loud and booing in an attempt to stop the show.
"Glykeria was terrified. The Arabs caused a mess, and it was really unpleasant. We felt as if the conflict is chasing us to Athens," said Amnon Angel, one of the businesspeople who watched the show.
According to Angel, the security guards jumped on the Arab viewers and dragged them outside. "They had a lot of hatred in their eyes. They were frantic. We sat there quietly and did not enter any conflicts," Angel said...
She had a lovely note waiting for her in her room as well. The singer is un-cowed:
..."She is surprised, but not afraid," her husband said. "Glykeria loves Israelis and feels great visiting Israel and singing in Hebrew."
The singer's personal manager, Zion Kedem, confirmed the report, stressing that "nothing will damage Glykeria's love for Israel."...
Generally I have a good memory for trivia, but I still impressed myself this time. That name seemed oddly familiar...
Greece is playing host to Mohammed Muhannah(22) and Mamdouh Al Wardian(23), a known Hamas member. Greece has long been sympathetic toward the Palestinians, so it's no great surprise that these two were given a hero's welcome as freedom fighters, along with a well-attended sycophantic press conference. After being under intensive police surveillance they disappeared without a trace, under speculation that they obtained new papers and slipped outside the country. They resurfaced a few weeks later as front-row guests of honor at a concert given by pop superstar Glykeria.
Any Israelis want to weigh in on this...?