Winter Olympics 2026: a pro-Gaza Italian rapper supposed to perform at the opening ceremony denounces censorship

A few hours before the start of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Italy is already in for a controversy. Invited to perform during the opening ceremony, which will take place this Friday from 8 p.m. on four different sites simultaneously, Italian rapper Ghali shared his frustration on social networks, considering himself the victim of censorship.

At issue: an outing by Andrea Abodi, the Italian Minister of Sports, at the start of the week. “I have no problem not sharing Ghali’s ideas and messages, but I believe that a country must be able to withstand the impact of an artist who expressed a thought that we do not share, and which will not be expressed on this stage,” said the politician.

“One language, Arabic, was ultimately too much”

Known for his commitment and his positions in favor of the Palestinian cause, Ghali responded via an open letter published this Thursday on Instagram. ” I know. I know when a voice is accepted,” reacted the 32-year-old singer. “I know when it’s fixed. I know when it’s too much. I know why they want someone like me, I also know why they don’t want me,” the artist wrote before giving details of the performance expected of him.

“I also know why I can no longer sing the Italian anthem. I know why I was asked to recite a poem about peace. I know it could be read in more than one language. I know that one language, Arabic, was ultimately too many,” he revealed, seeming to affirm that he was refused the opportunity to perform in Arabic this Friday evening. “I know that one of my thoughts cannot be expressed. I also know that my silence makes noise. I know this is all just a big play. »

No details have been provided by the Milan-Cortina organizing committee nor by the Ministry of Sports regarding Ghali’s upcoming performance. The rapper, however, still seems to want to perform at the opening ceremony in Milan, as evidenced by the caption of his Instagram post: “See you tomorrow.”

The opposition denounces “shameful preventive censorship”

In Italy, the opposition has lined up behind the artist, like the 5 Star Movement, a left-wing political party. Representatives of the latter denounced “shameful preventive censorship” in the Italian media. “It’s not about whether or not we share Ghali’s ideas, it’s a much more serious problem: a government that claims to predetermine what can and cannot be said. Behind Andrea Abodi’s words lies a fear of freedom of expression. Who does he represent when he speaks like this? », asks the party.

In 2024, Ghali had been the target of much criticism in Italy due to his declared support for Palestine. During the Sanremo Festival, he publicly denounced the war in Gaza, provoking the anger of the Israeli ambassador.