Popular Egyptian singer Mohamed Ramadan triggers outrage for 'normalisation' photo with Israeli artist

The popular Egyptian singer was posing with Israel's Omer Adam and the advisor to Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Hamad Al-Mazrouie during a trip to Dubai.

The photo was posted by an account affiliated with the Israeli foreign ministry that is dedicated to reaching an Arabic audience. Al-Mazrouie also posted the image but quickly deleted it.

The photo prompted swift backlash online, especially towards the 31-year-old Ramadan, who rose to prominence in recent years for his catchy songs including hit single Number 1,

“The man that is seen by millions in Egypt as a role model is shamelessly seen in the arms of the zionists in Dubai,” one twitter user said. 

“Tomorrow Mohamed Ramadan will claim that Omer Adam is the one that wanted the picture, that he didn’t know he was Israeli and will ask for forgiveness from his fans,” another said on Twitter, using the Arabic hashtag “normalisation is betrayal”.

“Tomorrow Mohamed Ramadan will claim that Omer Adam is the one that wanted the picture, that he didn’t know he was Israeli and will ask for forgiveness from his fans,” another said on Twitter, using the Arabic hashtag “normalisation is betrayal”.

Omer Adam made global headlines last month after it was revealed he was invited to Dubai to sing at a religious celebration at the request of an Emirati royal.

Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Nahyan received Omer Adam at his residence in Dubai, the singer said in a Facebook post, confirming he was there to participate in celebrations for a Jewish holiday.

"Omer stayed at the Sheikh's house and made a visit to the Jewish community synagogue in Dubai in celebration of simchat torah," the post said in October.

His attendance at the week-long celebrations for the Festival of Joy was also confirmed by the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs.

"The Israeli singer Omer Adam visits the Emirates and participates in the celebration of the Torah Festival with the Jewish community in Dubai," the ministry said on Facebook.

The latest developments come following US-brokered deals in mid-September to normalise relations between Israel and Arab states.

The deal, which was led by the United Arab Emirates before Bahrain and Sudan then followed, has been rejected and condemned as a "betrayal" by the Palestinians who point out that Israel continues to occupy the West Bank and East Jerusalem and besiege the Gaza Strip, denying Palestinian rights to self-determination.

Read also: Popular Egyptian singer Mohamed Ramadan sentenced to one year in prison for slander

The deals broke decades of consensus among Arab states that there would be no relations with Israel until Palestinian statehood had been assured. 

Before Bahrain and the UAE, only Egypt and Jordan had diplomatic relations with Israel.

Agencies contributed to this report.

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