Arts & Culture
Between May 10 and May 21, 2021, one of the most serious escalations between Israel and Hamas took place, triggered by a land dispute rooted in 1948 — one that continues to this day. At its heart were competing claims: the rights of displaced Israelis to pre-war property, the rights of Arab families settled by Jordan not to be evicted generations later, Israeli court rulings, and the norms of international law. When Hamas fired over 150 rockets at Israel from Gaza, the conflict’s hot phase began, bringing casualties and destruction on both sides. The disputed neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah — where Jews and Arabs live side by side, each believing their presence historically justified — remains volatile to this day.
It was on this subject that the «People’s Artist» Yulduz Usmonova chose to weigh in, back in May 2021. In response, the New York-based weekly The Bukharian Times dedicated an entire page to «Usmonova’s Voice» on behalf of Bukharian Jews.
In one of her videos — later deleted from Instagram — she concluded with the following words:
«May the Almighty pour all hardships upon your heads, Jews. May all horrors continue upon all your descendants and future generations! Remember this, Jews!»
It was these lines that outraged the public — not Usmonova’s political views on the conflict, which the Jewish community was largely indifferent to. In response, an extensive open letter was drafted to President Mirziyoyev, laying out the Jewish community’s position in the full «Oriental flavor» of diplomatic address. There was no response from Tashkent. Nor, it should be noted, has there been any meaningful response from the Uzbek diaspora in the US or from official figures — which speaks volumes.
Politics versus hate speech
It is worth drawing a clear line between political opinion and something far more dangerous.
Criticizing the actions of the Israeli government or military is a political stance—Usmonova is entitled to it, however unhelpful her declarations of solidarity may be to the Palestinians she claims to champion. Demanding recognition of Palestine, condemning specific politicians, opposing Israeli policy in Gaza — all of this is legitimate, and all of it constitutes a significant part of the global conversation.
What is not legitimate is directing curses at Jews as an ethnic and religious group. Calling for «horrors» and «hardships» upon people based on their nationality is hate speech. And the explicit mention of «descendants and future generations» strips the statement of any political context entirely — this is not commentary on a current conflict. It is ethnic enmity, plainly stated.
Higher standards apply to Yulduz Usmonova because she is a public figure and, whether she likes it or not, a cultural ambassador. Her words are not heard as the private opinion of a neighbor. They are broadcast to millions of fans.
All the Jewish community asked for was an apology—specifically for the antisemitic remarks, not for her political views on Palestine. Israel manages fine without her opinion. But Usmonova refused to offer any legitimate apology, and went further: she accepted gifts from Iran, while local officials collected signatures from concerned citizens.
The decision to cancel all her US concerts followed.
The First Amendment protects free speech — but speech that incites hatred and could provoke unrest is a different matter. Through her behavior, Usmonova created every prerequisite for street protests. Antisemitic statements are grounds for private venues like the Oceana Theater to terminate contracts and protect their reputations. American politicians classified her words not as an «opinion on the conflict» but as direct hate propaganda — incompatible with the status of a guest in this country, where the right to political protest comes with responsibility for what you say.
Her star is falling. She has only herself to blame.
Bella Sabirova,
Tashkent
This was translated from Russian to English and edited down in length.