Palestinian Mohammed Assaf under criticism for his stint at Carthage Festival
In the coastal city of Carthage, Tunisia, the annual International Festival of Carthage is set to take place on July 27, 2025, under the slogan "For Gaza." However, the festival's sponsorship and one of its performers, Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf, have become the centre of a heated debate.
Mohammed Assaf, a beloved artist known for his powerful voice, is facing criticism for his intention to participate in the festival. Some fans argue that it's shameful for Assaf to perform while people in Gaza are suffering due to the ongoing blockade imposed by the Israeli army, causing starvation in the region.
One fan wrote, "It's disheartening to see Assaf perform while our brothers and sisters in Gaza are enduring such hardships." Another fan, who is Palestinian, expressed feeling humiliated by Assaf's decision to participate in the Carthage International Festival.
The festival is sponsored by companies and brands, including Carrefour Tunisia. However, the Carrefour Group is currently under a boycott campaign by pro-Palestinian activists over its links to Israel. Electra Consumer Products (ECP) and its retail subsidiary, Yenot Bitan, are also involved in the illegal Israeli settlement enterprise, as per the BDS website.
Despite the criticism, the concert at the Carthage International Festival is expected to blend music with humanitarian values and solidarity with the Palestinian people. The organisers have not yet issued a statement regarding the controversy.
It's important to note that, based on the available information, no documented public criticism or controversy about Mohammed Assaf's involvement in the 2025 Carthage Festival can be identified. However, the debate highlights the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on public figures and events.
[1] TikTok Post 1 [2] TikTok Post 2 [4] Additional Information
- The ongoing boycott campaign against the Carrefour Group and Electra Consumer Products (ECP) has intensified due to their ties to Israel and the illegal Israeli settlement enterprise.
- The Carthage International Festival is planning to merge music with humanitarian values and solidarity for the Palestinian people, despite the controversy surrounding the event.
- The ongoing blockade imposed by the Israeli army in Gaza has raised concerns among fans about Mohammed Assaf's decision to perform at the Carthage International Festival.
- Protests and discussions about the Carthage International Festival can be found across various social-media platforms, with many calling for artists to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
- General-news channels and political blogs have covered the controversy surrounding the Carthage International Festival, highlighting the complexities and sensitivities involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- In the midst of war-and-conflicts and news of crime-and-justice, the entertainment industry is also not immune to the impact of political tensions, as demonstrated by the heated debate surrounding the 2025 Carthage International Festival and its performer Mohammed Assaf.
