The inclusion of Italian rapper Ghali in the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony has ignited a significant political controversy within Italy, stemming from his previous comments accusing Israel of committing genocide during its military campaign in Gaza.
Political Backlash from Right-Wing Party
The artist, who was born in Milan to Tunisian parents, is facing sharp criticism from Italy's ruling right-wing League party. A source from the League has labelled Ghali as a "pro-Palestinian fanatic" who harbours animosity towards Israel and the political centre-right. This follows a previous incident two years ago at the Sanremo song contest, where Ghali called for a "stop to the genocide," directly referencing Israel's actions in Gaza and sparking a political spat at the time.
Official Response and Olympic Stage Concerns
Italy's Sports Minister, Andrea Abodi, has publicly addressed the situation, stating that he does not anticipate Ghali using the prestigious Olympic platform to make political statements. "I am not embarrassed to disagree with Ghali's views and the messages he has sent," Abodi remarked. "However, I believe that a country must be capable of absorbing the impact of an artist who has expressed an opinion that we do not share, which will not be expressed on that stage."
Israel has consistently denied allegations of genocide in the Gaza enclave. A fragile ceasefire was established with Palestinian Hamas militants in October, following two years of intense conflict in the region.
Ceremony Details and Broader Context
Ghali has not issued any public comment regarding the current row. He is scheduled to perform at the opening ceremony on 6 February, sharing the stage with renowned artists Andrea Bocelli and Mariah Carey. His participation is viewed as a strategic move to attract a younger demographic to the global sporting event.
This controversy echoes previous incidents involving performers at Olympic ceremonies. Franco-Malian pop star Aya Nakamura faced a wave of online racist abuse when it was announced she would sing at the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Event Logistics and Team GB Ambitions
The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony is set to take place at Milan's iconic San Siro stadium, marking the beginning of over two weeks of competition that will conclude on 22 February.
In related sporting news, Team GB has announced its final squad for the Games, with 53 athletes travelling to Italy. The team is ambitiously targeting a record medal haul, aiming to significantly improve upon the mere two medals secured at the previous Winter Games in China four years ago.
