With Iran Firing Missiles at Israel, Hanan Ben Ari Had to Decide: Cancel Paris — or Perform Anyway
Hanan Ben Ari landed in Paris right as Iran attacked. After tense, late-night security talks, the Israeli star made a bold call: the show goes on tonight!
Israeli singer-songwriter Hanan Ben Ari found himself in the middle of a security drama after landing in Paris on Sunday ahead of his scheduled concert for Monday night.
As news broke of renewed fighting and a missile attack from Iran, the atmosphere shifted quickly. Given the complex tensions in Europe and the escalating situation back home in Israel, Ben Ari and his production team immediately held a lengthy, urgent situational assessment to figure out if it was safe to go ahead with the show.
Late-Night Security Calls
According to a report by Gil Mishali on mako, the production team spent the night in constant contact with authorized security officials to evaluate the threat level for both the local audience and the Israeli crew.
Ultimately, after weighing all the data—and determined not to let down the thousands of fans who had already bought tickets—Ben Ari decided to make the call to go ahead with the concert exactly as planned.
Because of the high profile of the event, the show will take place under strict safety protocols. It will feature multiple layers of security, fully coordinated with both the Paris police and the venue's private security firm.
"We Can Only Perform Because of Our Soldiers"
Ben Ari opened up about the tough decision and the stressful hours following his touchdown in France.
"I feel that especially in moments like these, our role here is to bring joy, to strengthen people, and to be together," he told mako.
He also wanted to send a message of support back home to the Israeli home front and the security forces on the front lines.
"Sending strength and love from here to our families and loved ones in Israel, and especially to the male and female soldiers—let's remember that it's thanks to them, and only thanks to them, that we can even perform."
Meanwhile, fans in Paris are gearing up to join him on stage tonight to sing his biggest hits, which have taken on a whole new meaning.