The Russian-Israeli rapper who took the stage wrapped in an Israeli flag – specifically in Spain

The Russian-Israeli rapper Elyashar Morgenshtern, known throughout the Russian-speaking world, wrapped himself in an Israeli flag during his performance in Spain and told the audience: "We are in a country that hates Israel. Precisely in the darkest place, one can find light." Morgenshtern immigrated to Israel in 2022 under the Law of Return and completed his conversion in June 2026, when he changed his name to Israel Yehuda Morgenshtern.

The Russian-Israeli rapper Elyashar Morgenshtern wrapped himself in an Israeli flag during his latest performance in Spain, before a large audience. Morgenshtern, considered one of the most prominent hip-hop and internet stars in the Russian-speaking world, was born in Russia and gained fame through his musical activity and social media presence. In 2022 he immigrated to Israel under the Law of Return, partly because his maternal grandfather was Jewish. After his immigration he began a conversion process that was completed only recently, in June 2026, as part of which he changed his name to Israel Yehuda Morgenshtern. During the performance he told the audience: "You should know, I don't deal with politics at all, but we are now in a country that very much hates Israel. My people came here with this flag. Precisely in the darkest place – one can find light. That is what today's performance is about." The article mentions further background: several years ago Morgenshtern publicly criticised the celebrations of Victory Day over Nazi Germany in the former Soviet Union countries, saying among other things: "Doesn't Russia have more current events to be proud of than something that happened almost 80 years ago?" About a month later he was accused by the authorities in Russia of drug trafficking and fled to Dubai. In May 2022 he was added to the Russian Justice Ministry's "foreign agents" list; his appeal was rejected.