Egyptians angered by Israeli concerts of Umm Kulthum songs

The family of the late Egyptian music icon Umm Kulthum has condemned an Israeli band’s announcement that it plans to hold concerts performing the legendary singer’s songs in several Israeli cities during November.

Jehan El Desouky, the granddaughter of Umm Kulthum’s sister, said that Umm Kulthum does not belong only to her family but represents “Egypt’s fourth pyramid.” 

She described the action as an Israeli attempt to “appropriate Egypt’s cultural heritage, not just the legacy of Umm Kulthum’s family.”

Speaking to the programme Happening in Egypt on MBC Masr TV on Wednesday evening, El Desouky stressed that the use of Umm Kulthum’s image or voice by any party requires prior permission and authorisation — something that has not been granted. She added that using Umm Kulthum’s legacy in Israel, in particular, is “completely unacceptable” as the singer represents Egypt, noting that she has authorised the family’s lawyer to handle the case.

The family’s lawyer, Yasser Kantoush, explained in a televised statement that a company holds the rights to Umm Kulthum’s works and is responsible for protecting them. Legal action, he said, will be taken against the company if it fails to safeguard those rights. 

The Israeli band, known as Firqat Alnoor (The Light Orchestra), had earlier announced plans to perform concerts featuring Umm Kulthum’s songs in several Israeli cities, including Jaffa, Haifa, and Beersheba, during November. 

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