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    AVENGED SEVENFOLD’s M. Shadows Responds To Backlash For Welcoming Freed Israeli Hostages: “It’s Not Making A Political Stance”

    SenecaBy 115 Comments3 Mins Read
    The Mosh Network - Avenged Sevenfold's M. Shadows signaling to the crowd to sing louder live

    Avenged Sevenfold frontman M. Shadows has addressed criticism surrounding a video message he recently recorded to welcome home two Israeli fans who were freed after nearly two years in captivity.

    The two fans, Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, were among those kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7th, 2023 attack on the Nova Music Festival. Both men were released earlier this month as part of an ongoing peace deal related to the Israel–Gaza conflict.

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    Following their return, a video of the pair watching Shadows’ message from their hospital beds circulated online, showing Guy’s emotional reaction to hearing from one of his favorite musicians.

    Despite the humanitarian intent, Shadows faced backlash online, with some interpreting his gesture as a political statement. In a new interview with Rolling Stone, he clarified his intentions, stating:

    “It’s not something that I’m going to worry about; I know that it’s the right thing to do. I think you have to stick to your moral compass… To me, that video is just a human doing something for another human. It’s not making a political stance. It’s not sticking it in someone’s eye. It really is about two human beings that have been through hell.”

    He continued:

    “We’ve done things for a lot of different people across different cultures and different religions. At the end of the day, if they’re fans, we want to reach out and support them. It just seems unfair — this idea that if you’re not on my side, then you’re an enemy. It’s really kind of gross.”

    Shadows also reflected on the personal impact of the conflict, revealing that two cousins of friends the band had met during a past trip to Israel were killed during the 2023 attacks.

    “On October 7th, two cousins who we hung out with when we played in Israel were murdered. The whole thing hit home hard. Again, it wasn’t anything political. It was two girls we knew — sweet, innocent people.”

    While discussing his approach, Shadows emphasized that Avenged Sevenfold’s message has always been rooted in connecting with fans of all backgrounds rather than taking sides in conflict.

    “Our whole thing is that we’re not some militant band that has this line in the sand. We want to play music for every human that wants to come to our shows.”

    He also acknowledged his respect for Disturbed vocalist David Draiman, who has been outspoken in his support for Israel, while reiterating that his own actions came from a purely humanitarian standpoint.

    “This was just a humanist approach — these people have been through a lot.”

    Shadows confirmed he has not yet spoken directly with the freed fans but hopes to reconnect when Avenged Sevenfold returns to perform in the region.

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    115 Comments

        • John Brown on

          Lorne Brooks You really though that was a smart thing to say, way to run back your false statement to a fallacy. First of all the left isn’t half as antisemitic as the right and no one on the left is saying to deport normal every day Israeli’s. They just don’t want to fund a genocide your high school failed you on many levels. 😂😂😂

          Reply
        • Kobi Goldstein on

          John Brown Ign^rant. It’s not “geno^cide”. It’s a war that the Hamas started with the October 7th mas^sacre. And in wars, ign^rant, also civilians d!e. Usually many. That’s what happens in wars. Ign^rant ! 😂😂😂

          Reply
        • John Brown on

          Kobi Goldstein You couldn’t be more wrong if you tried nice self censoring you are a pussy btw. Blah blah blah Israel have been killing Palestinians way before Oct 7 get the fuck out of here with your lazy propaganda.

          Reply
        • John Brown on

          Kobi Goldstein Stop censoring yourself and say it with your chest. If you knew the real history it was Israel with Great Britain’s help that started it when they moved in and stole land from Palestinians. “The Balfour Declaration and British Mandate (1917–1947)
          After Britain took control of Palestine during World War I, it issued the Balfour Declaration in 1917, which supported the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine. This set the stage for decades of growing tensions and violence between Arab and Jewish communities under British rule.
          The UN Partition Plan and 1948 War (1947–1949)
          Many historians and Palestinians mark the 1948 Arab-Israeli War as the starting point of the current phase of the conflict. “

          Reply
        • Kobi Goldstein on

          John Brown Ign^rant. I will not stop censoring, because I don’t want Facebook to restrict my account. And no, ign^rant, it’s y^u who don’t know the real history. There were always Jews here, but there were big movements starting in 1881. But, ign^rant, the Ara^bs already started it even before the big movements of Jews. For example, there was a mas^sacre of Jews by Ara^bs in 1834 during the Looting of Safed. Ign^rant !

          Reply
        • Kobi Goldstein on

          John Brown Ign^rant. The Ara^bs already started mas^sacring the Jews in this land much before the Balfour declaration. For example, there was a mas^sacre of Jews by Ara^bs in 1834 during the Looting of Safed. And anyway, ign^rant, Jews purchased many lands from Ara^bs, and many other lands were not owned by Ara^bs. Ign^rant! And also, ign^rant, there was significant Ara^b migration to this land between 1897 and 1948. During this period, around 300,000 to 400,000 Ara^bs migrated from neighboring countries like Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon, seeking better economic opportunities. The Ottomans brought Ara^bs and then the British Mandate provided opportunities through large-scale infrastructure projects, agricultural developments, and industry, which created jobs and boosted the economy. Ign^rant !

          Reply
        • John Brown on

          Kobi Goldsteinsee now you’re just being straight up racist for the world to see. Congratulations bud. Welcome to my blacklist.

          Reply
        • Lorne Brooks on

          Billy Nagy You mean how some Arabs believe a woman is open for marriage when she’s “sexually mature” (as young as 6) and can have their vagina closed up?

          Reply
    4. Joshua James on

      They are just cringe because you have bad taste in music. Avenged Sevenfold was, is, and always will be the peak of metal music as a whole. The primal yet precise drumming, the haunting bass work, the vocal range that makes both man and woman alike moisten their underpants… they all take a back seat to the piercing harmonious dual guitar onslaught that can only be attained with Scheter brand guitars. Hail to the King is second only to LibaD in the upper echelon of music all time
      Media: https://www.facebook.com/627233273694893/videos/798810419546515

      Reply
    7. Nicholas Luebke on

      “It’s not political bro! Anyways, I support David and his genocidal opinions.” Why do so many people not know what “political” means?

      Reply
    8. Jeremiah Clay on

      Imagine being upset at someone for welcoming hostages, a lot of which never made it out. Yall will oppose everything just to have something to do. Just stop.

      Reply
      • Hayden Antonino on

        Jeremiah Clay Imagine welcoming home a few people who’ve had nothing but great lives up until that point, and not welcoming home the actual prisoners from Palestine who have been living in squalor their whole lives and then were taken hostage for no reason. Palestine has every right to retaliate if israel can.

        Reply
    11. Zachary Phillips on

      one of the shittiest bands to ever sell records . BTW, all your cute little nicknames verify that you all have micro penis syndrome

      Reply
    14. Ryan Bonsall on

      The left were told to hate Israel. They jumped on that band wagon easier than Germans in the 30’s and 40’s.

      Reply
    15. David N Yahna on

      Alot of you people are insane. You here Isreal and lose all clarity. God forbid someone celebrating hostages freedom.

      Reply
      • Hayden Antonino on

        David N Yahna Because they weren’t actually hostages. They treated them with the utmost respect, and then once they come out and say “Hamas treated me great!” they recant that statement an interview later because their psychopaths in charge don’t want anyone to think that Hamas could actually be made up of decent people.

        Reply
    16. David N Yahna on

      Same people who love Varg Vikerness, GG Allen, and all the other Norwegian Black Metal bands famous for being great human beings.

      Reply
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