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The members of Israeli heavy metal band Orphaned Land and Palestinian group Khalas have a lot in common apart from music. On top of headbanging, facial hair and ripped jeans, the Israeli and Palestinian rockers share a firm belief in peace and coexistence - and they want to spread that message to the world. Over the past two years, the hugely successful Israeli band has toured the world with Palestinian friends Khalas, taking their positive message to dozens of cities across Europe and the Middle East. And they shared more than just the stage - on their 2013 tour, the band members lived together in a cramped tour bus for weeks.
Ahead of the tour, Orphaned Land's lead singer, Kobi Farhi, and Khalas' lead guitarist, Abed Hathut, told a supportive crowd in Tel Aviv about their mission: "We can't change the world, but we can give an example of how coexistence is possible," said Farhi. "Sharing a stage and sharing a bus is stronger than a thousand words. We'll show how two people from different backgrounds who live in a conflict zone can perform together." Hathut added: "We are metal brothers before everything… [but] there is no bigger message for peace than through this tour.”
The passionate musicians use their music to show that when it comes down to it, we’re all people. Their ultimate goal? According to Farhi: "One day our children will form a band together.”
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