DEATH THREATS FORCE ARAB ISRAELI EUROVISION SINGER TO CANCEL LONDON APPEARANCE AT ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY SHOW

Mira Awad, the Arab Israeli singer who represented Israel at the last Eurovision Song Contest, has been forced to withdraw from the ZF Israel Independence Day Concert in London due to death threats made against her and her family. 
 
The singer is half of a duo with Achinoam Nini, also known as NOA, another of Israel’s top artists, and they perform internationally to packed audiences, promoting a unique message of peace and co-existence. The ZF who have organised annual Israel Independence Day events in Britain for many years took the decision to invite them to headline the show and celebrate the diversity of the Israeli population, of which almost 20% are non-Jewish citizens, mainly Arabs.
 
Mira Awad who lives in Tel Aviv, and her family who live in Kfar Rameh, a small Arab Village in the north of Israel, now have round the clock security because of the death threats. Her Manager, Ofer Pesenzon, said:
“Mira and NOA’s message is about finding a peaceful way forward. It is tragic that when both sides try to come together by any means possible to build a better future for Israel and its citizens, there are those prepared to use violence and intimidation to destroy it.”
 
Mira will remain in Israel whilst NOA performs at the London concert, her first appearance in 6 months since giving birth to a daughter. The ZF’s Executive Director Alan Aziz said
“Our concert is a celebration of independence but it’s also about building understanding. Mira wanted to be the Arab Israeli voice promoting a peaceful way forward, and the threats to her life expose the real truth behind the conflict - that everyone is hostage to extremism, and it is a dangerous and growing phenomenon that denies Israel’s right to exist, and the world’s right to democracy.”
 
The ZF has announced that X Factor finalist Stacey Solomon will also feature in this year’s show.  Stacey Solomon, the 20 year old single mum from Dagenham, Essex has come a long way from her days serving up fish and chips at a local restaurant. She studies theatre arts and attended King Solomon High School. She came into the public eye when she appeared on the first show of X Factor Live Auditions shocking everyone with an angelic rendition of Louis Armstrong’s What A Wonderful World. “I’m rarely surprised, but I have to be completely honest with you, that performance took me by surprise. I think you are really, really good.” said Simon Cowell
 
FILMING OPPORTUNITIES
Mon 19th April 7.30-10pm 
Crews will have access to film at the event and there will be an opportunity to interview NOA after the show.
 
INTERVIEWEES
Alan Aziz, Executive Director, ZF
NOA, Israeli Singer & songwriter & last year’s Eurovision Song Contest performer
 
BACKGROUND FOOTAGE
Footage of Mira & NOA’s previous concerts can be made available on request.
 
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE FILMING PLEASE CONTACT
ALAN AZIZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the ZIONIST FEDERATION
EMAIL: alan@zfuk.org
MOBILE: 07768 946 868