Leftist groups attempt to cancel Ozzy Osbourne after his performance in Israel: ‘Violated the boycott’

Reactions to Ozzy Osbourne’s Support for Israel Spark Controversy

The internet is buzzing with reactions following the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic heavy metal singer. While many are sharing heartfelt tributes to the “Prince of Darkness,” some voices online are attempting to overshadow these remembrances with criticisms linked to his support for Israel.

“Ozzy Osbourne was a supporter of Zionism,” stated a social media user known as Antifa Ultra, whose post received significant traction with over 95,000 likes. They pointed out that Osbourne broke a boycott by performing in Israel during a tumultuous time, urging other artists to follow suit despite concerns over the tragedy in Gaza.

Osbourne performed in Israel a couple of times, notably at Ozfest in 2010 and again in 2018 during his No More Tours 2 event. Reports have highlighted how his actions were seen as defiance against anti-Israel sentiments.

Another account, “Pride Socialist,” criticized Osbourne’s legacy with comments about his involvement in the recent Israeli-Hamas conflict. “He recently signed a letter demanding the BBC halt airing a documentary depicting alleged Israeli genocide,” they wrote. This action, according to them, tarnishes his past achievements, including those with Black Sabbath, especially the song “War Pigs.”

Further fueling the discourse, a third commentator mentioned how Osbourne’s support for Israel has garnered praise, labeling him a staunch supporter of Zionism. They pointed out that, while not being Jewish himself, his opposition to anti-Semitism may partly stem from his marriage to Sharon Osbourne, who is Jewish.

Sharon has previously shared insights about Ozzy’s feelings towards anti-Semitism. She recalled how he often seeks to understand the hatred directed at Jews, conveying his confusion during an interview earlier this year. In an interesting twist, in 2024, Ozzy publicly distanced himself from rapper Kanye West, making it clear he wanted “no association” with anti-Semitic views.