Two major criminal cases were exposed in the media in Israel this week. Both of them involved popular singers: one Arab, and the other Jewish. The Jewish star, whose name has not yet been released for publication, has been linked to parties at which there was sex with minors. The media has covered every tiny detail of the police investigation as soon as it was released for publication. The latest details featured in the headlines of every newspaper, as well as on TV and radio news shows. After a special police team spent months secretly collecting evidence and testimony, news surrounding the “well-known singer affair” has become the main topic of discussion everywhere.
The second incident involves Israeli Arab singer Shafik Kabha, who has long been one of the most popular artists within the Israeli Arab sector and the territories. Kabha was shot dead three weeks ago, on Oct. 22 at the entrance to the town of Umm al-Fahm by a suspect riding a motorcycle. The murder sent shock waves throughout the Israeli Arab community, not only because Kabha was a much-admired performer for more than three decades, but also because of the intolerable ease with which a man was murdered, even though he was not involved in any criminal activity. In fact, he had just finished performing at a wedding. More than 10,000 people showed up for his funeral. Thousands also demonstrated in the victim’s village of Kafr Qara, demanding that the police take bold action to identify the murderers.
