Images

27 Sep, 2024

A boyband called ‘As1one’ (pronounced: as one) has become the internet’s latest pet peeve. The six-member act, which prides itself in being the “world’s first Israeli-Palestinian pop group,” came out of nowhere on September 13 and dropped its debut single ‘All Eyes On Us’ — an eerie reminder of the All Eyes on Rafah trend that saw 45 million Instagram users sharing an AI-generated image in support of the besieged city in May.

The group comprises four Israeli members — Ohad Attia, Niv Lin, Nadav Philips, and Neta Rozenblat — and two Palestinian members — Sadik Dogosh and Aseel Farah. Sending a message of Israeli-Palestinian unity at a time when Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed 41,534 people, the title of their debut single could have been dismissed as ignorance had they been from anywhere else in the world.

Released with Chic co-founder Nile Rodgers, the track is being dragged online for completely disassociating from reality while painting a bubbly picture of Israeli-Palestinian unity by virtue of its members’ nationalities.

Its music video does not explicitly call for peace or even address the elephant in the room, instead, it shows the boyband dancing around LA, living the American dream. Meanwhile, on the day of its release, Israel killed at least 19 Palestinians in attacks across the Gaza Strip, including in “safe zones”.

Unlike some of the propaganda music that has come out of Israel since October 7, ‘All Eyes On Us’ doesn’t propagate hatred for a particular group or dehumanise anyone, yet it is jarring in the face of Israel’s siege of the Gaza Strip, which nears a year.

The band’s reception has been cold, to say the least. Palestinian journalist Ahmed Eldin shared a snippet of the song on Instagram to write, “What in the hummus is this? So now the CIA is Lou Pearlmaning?” Louis Jay Pearlman was an American music manager and scam artist behind many successful 90s boy bands, including the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC.

Journalist Motaz Azaiza commented on his post with throwing up emojis. A user from Gaza commented, “I’m Gazan and this is the worst thing I’ve seen in 12 months.” Another speculated, “Do you mean Israelis and Israelis pretending to be Palestinians?”

One added sarcastically, “New Kids Own The Land? The Bomb Street Boys? N’vada? Settle N’ Peppa?”

Another inquired, “What is the group name? The settlers?” One comment read, “They called it ‘All Eyes On Us’. The utter audacity.” Users asked whether this was supposed to make them forget the slaughter of children?“

Many couldn’t believe Nile Rodgers “had a hand in this,” given his history of political activism as a member of the Black Panther Party.

The band’s coming together is rather pre-arranged and its moves are backed by labels and influential figures in the music business. It would not have existed if UMG hadn’t opened an office in Tel Aviv.

After UMG Israel came into being, it partnered with James Diener and Ken Levitan — the former facilitated Maroon 5’s first record deal, while the latter’s company is home to Kesha and Kid Rock. Together, they set out to find a six-member boy band that was supposed to be “Israel’s take on BTS or One Direction,” according to Variety.

Diener and Levitan brought as1one together after working with Israeli and Palestinian casting directors in 2021. “The intention wasn’t necessarily to bring Israelis and Palestinians together but that’s what happened as the talent pool was narrowed down,” a Billboard article stated.

After coming together as a band, as1one flew to Los Angeles on October 6 last year — a day before Hamas attacked Israel.

The boyband also has a video capturing its journey to LA and everything that followed. It sees them reacting to the Hamas attack and the Israeli attacks that followed. Farah, one of the Palestinian members, is heard saying, “What’s happening in Israel can either bring us together or break us apart.” An Israeli member says, “Any individual has a right to defend himself.”

In another instance, Farah tells his bandmates, “I am not expecting any of you to support anything Palestinian so I’m asking you to not expect me to support anything Israeli.” The video gives the impression that the band, while affected by Israel’s war on Gaza, is steering clear of taking any sides.

In light of the ongoing devastation in Gaza, as1one’s debut feels misplaced, at best. The idea behind the song could’ve been well-intended but its execution completely falls flat, ignoring the realities of the war. The intentions behind creating such a band are also unclear — leaving one wondering whether this is a misplaced attempt at unity or a more nefarious propaganda.

‘All Eyes On Us’ may have intended to symbolise harmony, but in its attempt to stay neutral, the band and its management have landed themselves into murky waters. As Gaza remains under siege and death tolls rise, the song’s cheerful tone and its focus on the band rather than actual people dying in Gaza and now in Lebanon, are incredibly out of touch.

Comments

Taj Ahmad Sep 27, 2024 06:34pm
As human, we should all pray safety of all Israelis-Ukrainian-Palestinians and for entire world. War is never been a solution of any conflicts, please pray for peace and find solutions on table. Say No to war…Say Yes to peace. Thanks to all.
Recommend
Laila Sep 27, 2024 07:16pm
Talk about bad timing. That said, even Israel manages their israeli minorities - unlike Pakistan. Israel has 1 millions citizens who are Arab Palestinians (Muslims and Christians). But they are Israelis with appr. the same rights as their non Palestinian Israeli citizens. They have access to housing, education, travel, political office etc. There are Jewish and Muslim married couples. There are Arab Palestinian Israelis in government. In fact one of the parties consists of both. There are also Arab parties in the Knesset who do NOT recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Even many Israelis have come to help Palestinians by opposing their government and IDF. Their human rights activists have voiced the oppressed Palestinians. Orthodox Jews oppose Israel as a state and have marched alongside Palestinians. Historically the region has been home to Muslims, Jews, Christians alike. There have been blood shed, fights over land but there have also been coexistence. Pakistan is despite its support to Palestinians oblivious of their rich, diverse and very complicated history. Despite the pain, the grudges and the distrust, coexistence IS possible. Not necessarily through this vacuous boy band. But it once AGAIN shows both can be together. Netanyahoo and Hamas are very much alike and not the solution. They both thrive on hate and blood shed. However, the youth on both sides, those who want peace, equality, safety and stability will bring peace. They are the key and majority voices. The time is right. Now. For peace.
Recommend
Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Sep 28, 2024 10:17am
Not the right time for a debut.
Recommend
Laila Sep 28, 2024 07:13pm
@TAJ AHMAD I often read your comments. You come across as a real nice human being. Emphasis on human because it's rare these days. I like how you include everybody, aren't selective in your compassion and are tolerant. We need more of that in the world. That said, wars are (unfortunately) about money. Billions if not trillions. That's what war is about. Power, money, greed for more of that.
Recommend