Muhammad Assaf

Is crossing through Israel considered normalization? Saber Rebai's performance at the Rawabi Amphitheater (Samah Salaime)

The Tunisian star who filled Palestinians with hope — for one night

For one night, Tunisian megastar Saber Rebaï brought Palestinians in the West Bank just a modicum of normalcy. Rawabi, Arabic for “hills,” is a sleek name for a Palestinian city that was recently built between Jerusalem and Ramallah. Surrounded by settlements on all sides, the place looks like a standard Israeli bedroom community and has been dubbed “the…

By Samah Salaime August 23, 2016

Haitham Khalailah performs on Arab Idol. (Screenshot from Arab Idol, MBC)

How a Galilee Palestinian beat the odds to become an Arab Idol finalist

On his way to the finale of one of the most important shows in the Arab world, Haitham Khalailah had to deal with the Shin Bet, restrictions on the movement of Palestinian citizens and the fraught connection between Palestinians in Israel and the rest of the Middle East. Will he be the second Palestinian in a…

By Henriette Chacar December 12, 2014

Palestinian Mohammad Assaf, singing in 'Arab Idol (Screenshot)

You didn’t win Arab Idol? Kindly wait a few more years

Israel approves Arab Idol winner Muhammad Assaf’s request to change his residency to the West Bank without a hitch. Meanwhile, over 500 Palestinian residents of the West Bank are still waiting in fear. By Itamar Sha’altiel More than 500 Palestinian residents of the West Bank are waiting today, just like they were yesterday. Some are afraid…

By +972 Magazine August 12, 2013

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Tens of thousands gather to hear Muhammad Assaf perform in Ramallah. July 1, 2013. (May Castelnuovo)

PHOTOS: ‘Arab Idol’ winner Muhammad Assaf performs in Ramallah

Photos by May Castelnuovo When Muhammad Assaf won the ‘Arab Idol’ singing competition last month, spontaneous celebrations took place throughout Gaza and the West Bank. Upon winning the pan-Arab competition, Assaf promised to hold three free concerts in cities in the West Bank – in Ramallah, Nablus and Hebron. As Abeer Ayyoub wrote for +972 last…

By +972 Magazine July 2, 2013

Palestinian Mohammad Assaf, singing in 'Arab Idol (Screenshot)

After ‘Arab Idol’ win, Gaza goes to sleep with hope

By winning the Arab Idol singing competition, Muhammad Assaf did what politics hasn’t been able to: he united Palestinians. By Abeer Ayyoub GAZA – I have, in the past, witnessed Palestinians in Gaza rushing into the streets to celebrate various events. Once, it was after reaching a ceasefire that ended the eight-day Israeli offensive in…

By +972 Magazine June 23, 2013