summary of incident
Israeli vocalist David D’Or was splashed with red paint during the closing concert of the Warsaw Singer Festival at the Grand Theatre – National Opera in Warsaw. The incident occurred while the artist was beginning the prayer “Avinu Malkeinu” and asking the audience to join him in a prayer for peace. Two women were detained by police and later charged over the attack
Details of incident
According to witnesses, the women approached the stage during the performance and threw a red substance toward the singer and orchestra members. One of them also attempted to display a Palestinian flag while shouting pro-Palestinian slogans before being stopped by security staff. The concert was interrupted for several minutes before continuing.
Festival organisers condemned the disruption, stressing that the attack took place while the artist was performing “a moving prayer for peace in the world.” In a statement, organisers said music and art “should connect people, not become an arena of aggression.”
Context of incident
D’Or later described the moment on social media, saying he had closed his eyes during the prayer when he suddenly “felt a cold splash” across his face. The singer said the red liquid covered his clothes, the stage and members of the orchestra, adding that the scene reminded him of the October 7 attacks in Israel.
Warsaw police confirmed that the two women entered the venue legally with tickets and were detained after being removed from the auditorium by security personnel. Prosecutors charged them with assault motivated by xenophobia, racism or religious intolerance, as well as destruction of property.
