An Irish music festival announced that current and former IDF members will be barred from attending the event, following a public campaign against an Israeli who served in the military. The decision drew sharp criticism from Jewish organizations and Ireland’s chief rabbi, who argued it amounts to discrimination against Israelis and reflects a broader wave of anti-Israel sentiment in the country.
Rewild Festival, a music, arts and wellness event held in a forested area in County Kerry in southwest Ireland, issued a statement over the weekend declaring that “current or former members of the Israeli ‘Occupation’ Forces (‘IOF’) are not welcome at Rewild and will not be permitted to participate.”
1+The decision came after a social media campaign erupted against the planned participation of Yonatan Prigozin, who according to Irish outlet Aontacht Media previously served in the IDF. Far-left activists called on artists and vendors to boycott the festival as long as former IDF soldiers were allowed to attend, and several artists subsequently announced they were pulling out.
In the festival’s statement, organizers said they “stand in solidarity with the ‘Palestinian’ people” and are committed to creating a “safe, welcoming and inclusive space.” In line with those values, they said, current and former IDF members will not be allowed to participate. According to Aontacht Media, organizers initially defended Prigozin’s participation. Messages posted from the production’s WhatsApp group showed one organizer writing “Yes, he is welcome,” while another responded to a complaining participant: “If you don’t feel comfortable, you’re free not to come.” Later, as public pressure mounted, organizers reversed course and announced the blanket ban.
1+The decision sparked sharp reactions from Jewish organizations. Campaign Against Antisemitism said the festival presents itself as “a place where everyone can come together” but in practice is excluding any Israeli who completed mandatory service. The group noted that since conscription in Israel is mandatory for most Jewish citizens, this effectively amounts to nationality-based discrimination, and called the move “xenophobia masquerading as progressivism.”
Ireland’s chief rabbi, Rabbi Yoni Wieder, also sharply criticized the festival’s decision. He said the very use of the term “IOF” instead of IDF reflects the organizers’ worldview. He emphasized that Israel maintains mandatory military service because it faces jihadist terror organizations working toward its destruction, and warned this is part of a broader trend of excluding Jews and Israelis from public spaces in Ireland.
According to Rabbi Wieder, in recent years Irish Jews have felt their place in society is conditional on having no connection to Israel. He cited attempts to rename Herzog Park in Dublin, harassment and even assaults of Hebrew speakers, and protests outside Jewish memorial events—including a Yom HaZikaron ceremony held this year at a synagogue.