Growing hostility toward Israelis
Terror on the Streets of Houston: Israeli Actor Oshri Cohen Attacked After DJ Set
Masked men shouting in Arabic smashed his car window and stole equipment. Jewish community warns of rising antisemitic hostility in the US.
Israeli actor and DJ Oshri Cohen and Israeli music producer Amit Mizrahi were victims of a frightening attack in Houston, Texas, after Cohen performed at a nightclub event over the weekend.
Mizrahi told Israeli outlet 'mako' that the two had just left the venue, accompanied by security guards, when masked men ambushed them.
“Oshri finished his set, we went down with two guards who escorted us, and as we reached the car, two masked men rushed us with stones,” Mizrahi recounted. “They smashed the back window, grabbed our bags and equipment, and ran off, all while shouting in Arabic.”
The assailants fled the scene before security could intervene, and police reportedly did not arrive, with Mizrahi saying officers dismissed the incident since there were no physical injuries.
Antisemitic Undercurrent
The attack comes amid growing tensions for Israeli and Jewish performers abroad. Mizrahi shared screenshots from social media where users called to boycott Cohen’s set because he is Israeli.
One post read: “Stop supporting Israeli artists. They starve innocent people.” Another added: “Israelis who back genocide or stay silent about Palestinians do not deserve a stage.”
During Cohen’s set, a screen behind him displayed a message of solidarity with hostages: “Bring Them Home Now. We Will Dance Again.”
Community Concerns
The incident has sparked alarm within Jewish communities who fear that anti-Israel rhetoric is increasingly bleeding into open antisemitism. As of now, no suspects have been caught. Cohen and Mizrahi were shaken but not physically harmed.