In a new video published on his Instagram channel, Gil Ofarim presents a new song – and gave a greeting to everyone who follows him there.
“I hope you had a good start to the new year and didn’t slip,” the 42-year-old begins his new recording. As can be seen in his last Instagram videos, he is sitting in front of a Christmas tree armed with an acoustic guitar. Ofarim had already celebrated “Christmas Ukraine” there and communicated with his followers.
On Thursday Ofarim presented a new song, singing “I Lost My Faith” and he wants “A New Face”. His greeting is particularly delicate. “I wish you all all the best and a Happy New Year.” Gil Ofarim then lists the people he would like to thank: the “Street Team”, the supporters, followers and, he cannot suppress a smile, “the bots”.
Gil Ofarim on Instagram:
Gil Ofarim does not explain what he means by “bots”. In general, bots (from the English “robots”) mean computer programs that process tasks automatically. Perhaps Ofarim is referring to Instagram trolls who don’t always leave flattering things on other people’s digital pinboards.
Are the many haters on Gil Ofarim’s Instagram channel really not real people, but bots? You shouldn’t be too sure about that.
One person writes under his current post: “I’ve already seen a lot… but this form of self-absorption is already setting new standards. Not to mention certain audacity.” The person behind it looks like a real profile – not a bot.
Another writes, in English: “No one wants anything from you! Just get off the Internet and try and help the family you ruined with your lies!”
Or: “There hasn’t been a proper apology yet – but it’s business as usual again.”
The case of Gil Ofarim
In November 2023, Gil Ofarim appeared before the Leipzig Regional Court on charges of defamation and false accusations. Two years earlier, the now 42-year-old had recorded a video in front of the Westin Hotel in Leipzig. In it, he claimed that a hotel employee discriminated against him when he checked in because of his Star of David necklace and made anti-Semitic insults with the words: “Pack up your star!”
The matter famously went to court as the hotel sued him. On the sixth day of the trial, Ofarim gave in and his allegations proved untenable. His emotional video statement: A lie. That’s exactly what many people still resented him for, including in the comments on his Christmas cover. “Whether the hotel employee whose life you destroyed can also have a halfway nice Christmas?” This user wasn’t the only one who asked herself. To this day, the scandalous rocker still owes the affected employee W. a public apology.
The stage comeback is certain
A few days earlier, the rumors about the 42-year-old’s career had come true. Gil Ofarim will attempt his comeback next year. The musician announced his concert on Instagram: “Matrix Bochum 2025! 🤍 I’m looking forward to my first real concert in years!” he wrote. He will take the stage on April 17, 2025. On the concert poster, he is sitting on a stone, stretching his head towards the sun.
One user referred to this new start in her criticism of the “Christmas Time” reconciliation attempt: “In addition to the really presumptuous title of his new tour, I find it really disturbing that Gil now seems to have to make his Jewish background clear again in every one of his videos . […] In doing so, he provokes and does the Jewish community a disservice, as he has already caused enough damage [sic] has.”
The polarizing musician was sentenced to pay a fine of 10,000 euros because of his false accusations. The amount should be paid to the Israelite Religious Community of Leipzig and the sponsoring association of the House of the Wannsee Conference. Ofarim only made the payment months later.