Harry Styles avoids saying Israel at New York concert

A moment at a Harry Styles concert in New York has set off a wave of speculation online after the British pop star appeared to sidestep mentioning Israel when speaking to an Israeli fan.

Gal Taguri, a 21-year-old Israeli student, came to the show holding a sign that caught Styles's attention. It read: "I found out today I got into medical school. This is going to be my last concert for the next seven years." The singer stopped mid-performance, spotted the sign, and called out to the crowd: "Gal, everyone make some noise for Gal."

Styles went on to acknowledge what the sign said: "You're going to be buried in books? Congratulations!" The audience erupted, and Gal looked visibly moved by the unexpected shout-out. But what happened next is what lit up social media.

The British singer asked Gal: "Are you studying in New York?" She answered no. His response was brief and cryptic: "We'll leave it at that." That line set off a round of speculation among users online, did the singer avoid naming Israel in public?

Video of the moment went viral on social media, with some users suggesting that Gal's name, a distinctly Hebrew one, gave away her Israeli background. Some argued that Styles chose not to continue the conversation to avoid a possible political confrontation, while others said it was an entirely innocent response.

Harry Styles responds to a pro-Palestinian fan (Photo: Shutterstock)

This is not the first time Harry Styles has found himself at the centre of controversy related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 2016, during a show in Amsterdam, he responded "true" to a fan who shouted "Free Palestine", a response that sparked a storm on social media.

The British singer, who began his career with the band One Direction and became one of the most successful stars in pop music, is known for his progressive views and his support for the LGBT community. In 2020 he made history as the first man to appear solo on the cover of Vogue magazine, and in 2023 he won the prestigious Album of the Year award at the Grammy Awards for the album "Harry's House".