Irish festival bans anyone who has served in the Israeli army from attending
Organisers changed course after campaigners objected to a former Israeli soldier’s planned attendance at music, arts and wellness event
An Irish music festival has said current and former members of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) will not be allowed to attend after an online backlash over the planned attendance of a former Israeli soldier.
Rewild festival, a one-day music, arts and wellness festival held in woodland near the Gap of Dunloe in County Kerry, issued the statement ahead of the weekend’s festival after campaigners criticised organisers over the expected attendance of Yonatan Prigozin, who, according to Irish outlet Aontacht Media, previously served in the IDF.
In a statement shared on social media, organisers said they had become aware that a former member of what they described as “the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF)” was planning to attend as a paying guest.
The statement said: “Rewild stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people and is committed to fostering a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for our community.
“In line with these values, current or former members of the IOF are not welcome at Rewild and will not be permitted to participate in the festival, and that was made clear.”
The announcement came after campaigners criticised the festival on social media over Mr Prigozin’s planned attendance. One activist account urged artists and vendors to withdraw unless organisers revoked access for “any current or ex IOF soldiers”, while Aontacht Media later reported that several artists subsequently pulled out.
Aontacht Media also reported that messages from an organiser’s WhatsApp group appeared to show festival staff initially defending the attendee’s presence before later reversing their position.
According to the publication, one organiser wrote: “Yes, he is welcome,” while another reportedly told a concerned attendee: “If you are uncomfortable with that, you are free not to attend.”
The outlet also reported that another organiser said in a voice message that the attendee “is a friend of the main organiser, and it is not your place to be raising these concerns”, before the festival later announced its new policy.
Military service is compulsory for most Jewish Israeli citizens, meaning the policy could affect many Israelis who completed mandatory national service.
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Rewild claims to be ‘a space where everyone can come together’, but apparently that excludes any Israeli who has performed their obligatory national service. Conscription is compulsory in Israel, so this ban seems to simply be xenophobia masquerading as progressivism.”
Ireland’s Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder said the organisers’ use of the term “IOF” reflected a wider attitude towards Israel.
He said: “The term ‘IOF’ tells you a great deal about the ideology of the festival organisers who have barred this man from attending. It’s the language of people who ignore the reality that Israel is forced to maintain compulsory military service because it faces jihadist terrorist organisations on its borders that are openly intent on its destruction.
“I’m less concerned by the policy of one fringe festival than by the broader trend of which this is a part. For nearly three years now, Jewish people in Ireland have increasingly felt that their place in Irish society is contingent on not having any meaningful connection to Israel.
“Dublin councillors have sought to rename Herzog Park, the only public space in the city bearing a Jewish name, because they believe that only Jewish figures whose identity can be detached from Israel are worthy of recognition. People have been verbally abused, and in at least one case, physically assaulted, simply for speaking Hebrew.
“Vigils and commemorations, including a Yom HaZikaron event held inside a shul this year, have been met with protests. For Irish Jews who feel a deep affinity with Israel, not to mention the many hundreds of Israeli families living here, this inevitably raises questions about their place in Irish society.”
Jewish News has contacted Rewild Festival and Yonatan Prigozin for comment.
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