Israeli singer Noa Kirel sparks controversy with World Cup music video

Israeli pop star Noa Kirel has ignited a firestorm with her new music video "Think You're Messi", in which she appears as the goalkeeper for Argentina, effortlessly saving penalties taken by a Spanish player during a World Cup match Source: La Vanguardia. The video, which has nearly a million views on YouTube, has drawn accusations of Zionism and genocide from critics Source: Infobae.

The video

• The clip shows Kirel wearing an Argentina jersey and Adidas gloves, blocking shots from a Spanish player in an empty stadium, with three spectators in German, Argentine, and Spanish shirts cheering her saves Source: La Vanguardia.
• The title is a pun on "messy" and Lionel Messi, the Argentine star Source: La Vanguardia.

Reactions

• Critics have labeled Kirel a "sionista" and "representante de un pueblo genocida" Source: La Vanguardia. Defenders note that Spain has been Europe's strongest critic of Israeli actions in Palestine and Lebanon Source: Infobae.
• Kirel responded on Instagram with a photo holding flags of Israel and Spain, with an Argentine flag in the background, captioned "Viva España, viva Argentina y viva Israel" Source: La Vanguardia.

Context