Amir Benayoun

Amir Benayoun was born in Beersheba to Maxim and Esther Benayoun with Jewish origins from Algeria. His father was an oud player.[1] From a very young age he showed great interest in music, playing with his father and his brother. While devoting himself to songwriting, he made a living working in home repair jobs. He was turned away from serving in the IDF, because of a drug problem.[2] His embrace of Orthodox Judaism was inspired by one of his brothers.[3]

In 1999 Benayoun released his first album, "Rak Ath" (Only You), selling 40,000 copies. Shortly after it came the second album, and in 2002 his third, "Shalechet" (Fall), was a big hit, establishing Benayoun in the mainstream of Israeli music.

Additionally, he wrote and composed songs for other artists, such as Gidi Gov and Gali Atari.[4]

In 2011, Benayoun created an album in Arabic called "Zini" to support the people in the Syrian uprising.[5]

In 2006, Benayoun won an ACUM prize for his song, "Nitzacht Iti Hakol" but he refused to accept it and donated it instead.

In November 2014, the President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin cancelled a scheduled performance by Benayoun at the president's official residence, after being shocked by reading his lyric dealing with an Arab dreaming of murdering Jews, especially Jewish babies, and after a wave of controversy arose in reaction to its circulation.[3][6][7][8] Rivlin's decision was attacked from representatives of both sides of the political spectrum, by the religious for rebuffing a true patriot, by the left for intolerance of the right to free self-expression.[3] A poll by Channel 2 News suggested 42% of Israelis concur with the song's sentiments. Meretz MK Issawi Frej has requested that the singer be investigated on incitement charges.[9]

• Music of Israel

• About Amir Benayoun in the website of "Nevel Asor" (his record label)(in Hebrew)