Avenged Sevenfold's M. Shadows Defends Humanitarian Message to Freed Israeli Hostages Amid Backlash

M. Shadows, the frontman of Avenged Sevenfold, defended his video message welcoming back two Israeli fans who were kidnapped by Hamas and recently released, emphasizing that his gesture was a humanitarian act rather than a political statement. The two fans, Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, were held captive since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and credited the band's music with helping endure their ordeal. Despite backlash from various sides due to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict and accusations of genocide against Israel, Shadows maintained that his message was about human empathy and support for fans, not about taking sides. Shadows highlighted the personal impact of the conflict on the band, noting the loss of two cousins during the attacks, and stressed the importance of maintaining moral integrity despite criticism. He also pointed out the band's history of supporting fans across different cultures and religions and rejected the notion that one must declare enemies based on political alignment. The release of the hostages coincided with a tentative peace deal in the Israel-Gaza war, championed by current U.S. President Donald Trump, amid ongoing regional tensions and humanitarian concerns.