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Rock Legend, Black Sabbath Co-Founder Ozzy Osbourne Was a ‘Steadfast Supporter of Israel, Jewish People’

Ozzy Osbourne of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath arrives at the 56th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, Jan. 26, 2014. Photo: REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

Rock and heavy metal music legend Ozzy Osbourne, who died on Tuesday morning at the age 0f 76, had a life that involved activism for pro-Israel and Jewish causes as well as two trips to Israel and a home life that integrated Judaism with the help of his wife, Jewish television personality Sharon Osbourne.

The family of the British musician announced his passing in a released statement. He is survived by his wife Sharon, their children – Kelly, Jack, and Aimee – and his son Louis from his previous marriage to Thelma Riley.

Earlier this month, the nicknamed “Prince of Darkness,” who lived with Parkinson’s disease, played his final show with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in his home city of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, where he had been living with his family. Osbourne, whose real name is John Michael Osbourne, co-founded his heavy metal band Black Sabbath in 1968. The band’s name came from its original bassist Geezer Butler, who was inspired by the 1963 horror film “Black Sabbath.”

In a statement given to The Algemeiner on Thursday, Ari Ingel – the executive director of the non-profit, pro-Israel organization Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) — praised the musician as “not only a pioneer in metal, but also a steadfast supporter of Israel and the Jewish people.” Osbourne has given support to several CCFP initiatives in the past. The organization is comprised of prominent members of the entertainment community who make an effort to combat antisemitism and cultural boycotts of Israel.

“Throughout difficult times, the Osbourne family has stood proudly with the Jewish people and showed unwavering solidarity,” Ingel added in his statement. “Leave it to Ozzy to be present and take part in his own epic tribute concert just weeks ago. That’s a true legend. Ozzy may be gone, but legends like him don’t die — they echo forever. As we honor his extraordinary legacy, CCFP sends its deepest condolences to Sharon, their children, and all who loved him. Our hearts are with the Osbourne family during this painful time. May his memory be a blessing.”

In October 2024, Osbourne signed a CCFP open letter condemning cultural boycotts of Jewish and Israeli authors and literary institutions. He performed in Israel twice – first with 2010’s Ozzfest in Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park and then in 2018 at Live Park in Rishon Lezion as part of his “No More Tours 2” tour. During his trips to the Jewish state, he visited Jerusalem’s Old City, the Western Wall, and Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center.

When the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired a documentary in March that was accused of promoting Hamas propaganda and anti-Israel sentiments, Osbourne signed a CCFP open letter that called on the BBC to launch a full investigation into its “bias against Israel.”

In 2024, Osbourne wrote in a post on X that he turned down a request by rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, to sample a section of his song “Iron Man” because the rapper “is an antisemite and has caused untold heartache to many.” Osbourne said he wanted “no association” with Ye.

Sharon told Jewish News in December 2023 that “since the day we met,” Ozzy would ask her: “Why don’t people like Jews?” She added that the musician was “so confused” by antisemitism. She told The Jewish Chronicle last year that her father made sure Judaism was “at the heart of our household” and that the Jewish religion “is the only religion I have and the only one I’m comfortable with.”

The post Rock Legend, Black Sabbath Co-Founder Ozzy Osbourne Was a ‘Steadfast Supporter of Israel, Jewish People’ first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

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Hezbollah Marks Year Since Israel Killed Veteran Leader Nasrallah

People gather at a site damaged by Israeli airstrike that killed Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah during a commemoration ceremony in Beirut southern suburbs, Lebanon, Nov. 30, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah on Saturday commemorated one year since leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed by Israel, the opening salvo of a war that ultimately battered his once-powerful group and left swathes of Lebanon in ruins.

A string of Israeli bunker-busting bombs on a Hezbollah complex in Beirut’s southern suburbs killed Nasrallah, who had led the powerful Shi’ite religious, political and military group for more than 30 years.

His heir apparent Hashem Safieddine was killed weeks later. Now pressure is swelling on the group to disarm – a demand Hezbollah has rejected.

Hezbollah’s secretary general, Naim Qassem, who assumed the post a month after Nasrallah’s killing, delivered a speech to mark the anniversary.

He reaffirmed that Hezbollah would not allow disarmament and warned of a fierce confrontation, describing the fight as an existential battle that the group was capable of facing.

Crowds, including Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, gathered in Hezbollah strongholds in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon’s south and east, to mark the day.

Tensions over the commemoration have been mounting this week, particularly after Hezbollah projected the portraits of Nasrallah and Safieddine on the towering rocks off the coast of Beirut.

The display went ahead, despite orders by Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and the Beirut governor not to do so, angering Lebanese opponents of Hezbollah who said the cliffs should not be used for political displays.

Nasrallah became secretary general of Hezbollah in 1992 aged just 35 after his predecessor, Sayyed Abbas al-Musawi, was killed in an Israeli helicopter attack.

With his fiery speeches, he swiftly became the public face of a once-shadowy group founded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982 to fight Israeli occupation forces.

The day after Hamas’ cross-border attack into Israel on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah entered the fray in solidarity with its Palestinian ally by firing on Israel from southern Lebanon.

That prompted exchanges of fire for nearly a year before Israel sharply escalated by detonating explosives-rigged communication devices used by Hezbollah, pummeling the country with air strikes and sending troops into Lebanon’s south.

Israel’s air and ground campaign prevented a formal burial for Nasrallah for months. Followers have since flocked to his grave to pray.

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New Zealand Says Not Joining Push for Palestinian Statehood

The United Nations headquarters building is pictured though a window with the UN logo in the foreground in the Manhattan borough of New York, Aug. 15, 2014. Photo: REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

i24 NewsNew Zealand will not join the push to recognize Palestinian statehood, though it remains committed to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Minister Winston Peters said at the United Nations Headquarters on Friday.

“With a war raging, Hamas still in place, and no clarity on next steps, we do not think that the time is now,” Peters said in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

New Zealand’s position represents a departure from the line adopted by Australia, Britain and Canada, who joined in a recognition of Palestinian statehood on Sunday.

Israel and the US administration of President Donald Trump have said such unilateral moves will only serve to undermine the prospects of a peaceful end to the conflict and achieve nothing for the Palestinians. Both boycotted the New York event.

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Trump: Intense ‘Regional’ Talks on Ending Gaza War Ongoing, Israel and Hamas Briefed

US President Donald Trump points a finger as he delivers remarks in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 31, 2025. Photo: Kent Nishimura via Reuters Connect

i24 NewsUS President Donald Trump stated on Friday in a message posted to his Truth Social network that talks, ongoing for four days, concerning ending the Gaza war were productive.

“I am pleased to report that we are having very inspired and productive discussions with the Middle Eastern Community concerning Gaza. Intense negotiations have been going on for four days, and will continue for as long as necessary in order to get a Successfully Completed Agreement,” the post read.

“All of the Countries within the Region are involved, Hamas is very much aware of these discussions, and Israel has been informed at all levels, including Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. There is more Goodwill and Enthusiasm for getting a Deal done, after so many decades, than I have ever seen before. Everyone is excited to put this period of Death and Darkness behind them. It is an Honor to be a part of this Negotiation. We must get the Hostages back, and get a PERMANENT AND LONGLASTING PEACE!”

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