Arab, Western Artists and Leaders Stand with Tunisian Peace Activist in the Face of Boycotting and Incitement

After its release, the breakthrough song “Peace Among Neighbors” — the first-ever trilateral Tunisia-Israeli-Yemeni musical collaboration — became a lead story in media across North Africa and the Middle East. In response, extremist elements region-wide lashed out. Inside Tunisia, government and trans-state actors orchestrated a campaign of incitement and boycotting against Tunisian vocalist Noamane Chaari for the “crime” of singing for peace alongside Israeli musician Ziv Yehezkel. Some media figures even went so far as to threaten his life on the air. 

Fortunately, Noamane has not stood alone. Ten fellow artists in Tunisia — including vocalists Alia Balaid, Imed Aziz Madhioub, and Bassam Farza — were among the first to come to his defense. As Farza put it, "I fully back and support my brother, friend and colleague, the singer and composer Noamane Chaari… Art has always been separate from politics and political matters. Art is a message. His song is a very beautiful message. Bravo to him." 

Western officials, for their part, moved to make Chaari’s cause their own. The State Department declared its solidarity with the singer: “Artists who call for tolerance and peaceful coexistence through their music inspire us all. They should be protected, not targeted.” A similar message was also conveyed by Democratic Congressman Ted Deutch, Republican Senator Ted Cruz, Ambassador Dennis Ross, and the Anti-Defamation League.

French media took a keen interest in Noamane and his plight as well. Substantial articles about his case appeared in four of the five largest French dailies: Journal de Dimanche, Marianne, Le Point, and L’Obs. Numerous French MPs came through with statements of solidarity. MP Didier Quentin, an ally of President Macron, also called on the French Foreign Ministry to take action — through this letter to the Foreign Minister, which he authorized the CPC to publish.

Consequently, in perhaps the most significant outcome, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian issued the following statement: “The threats Noamane is facing are intolerable. We will not spare any efforts to make sure that our position is well understood by the Tunisian authorities, and especially in our daily contact with them."

In sum, while some in the region still regard acknowledging the Other as a provocation, a broad coalition emerged across three continents to protect, defend, and embolden Noamane as he stood unbowed against a campaign of state-driven incitement.