Earlier today (June 3rd), Disturbed's David Draiman received the 2024 joint Jerusalem Post and World Zionist Organization Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Fight Against Antisemitism.
The Disturbed singer accepted the honor — which was also presented to NBA reporter and media personality Emily Austin — in New York City during the Jerusalem Post Annual Conference.
"Crazy times we are living in. Crazy, crazy times," Draiman said in his acceptance speech (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). "If you had told me 10 years ago that I would have lost so many of my colleagues and friends over my position to simply defend my people, our people, the Jewish people, I'd call you crazy. If you would tell me that the entire world would flip this script on us, if he would tell me that this bizarro existence that we're currently living in, where good has become evil and evil has become good, and where modern-day Nazis are praised in progressive circles all over the world where university students champion their cause… The world can seem like a very, very dark place these days. But I can tell you from my own personal experience that it takes incredibly powerful light in order to dispel darkness. And it is up to each and every one of us to be that light in this darkness we are currently living in.
He continued: "I have so many friends of mine in my industry that could really be much more outspoken, that could really be raising their voices to defend their own people, our people, the Jewish people. And I have to say to each and every one of you: Where the hell are you? Where are you? What are you waiting for? We just experienced the worst Jewish catastrophe, the worst Jewish loss of life since the Holocaust. Does something more impressive need to happen for you to finally open your mouths?
"I, for one, have stood defiant despite daily death threats by the thousands — daily threats to my family, to my livelihood, to our very existence.
"This is what we do, ladies and gentlemen," he concluded. "You brush that off. You keep going on, you keep soldiering on. You do not let the terrorists win. You do not let them intimidate you. We do not let ourselves succumb to the fear that they are trying to instill in each and every one of us. You remain strong, you remain steadfast, and you stay rebellious and defiant in the face of these animals who seek to end our very existence, ladies and gentlemen.
"Stay strong, stay resilient. Am Yisrael Chai."
Draiman is a longtime activist for Israel and the Jewish people, and he's only become more vocal since Hamas' October 7th attack and the ongoing war. During Disturbed's world tour this year, he spoke out onstage about the hostages held in Gaza and against hate and terrorism.
The grandson of two Holocaust survivors, Draiman grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family, trained to be a cantor and considered becoming a rabbi. He has deep ties to Israel. His brother Benjamin lives in the country, and he has many other loved ones there, too. The October 7th attack hit Draiman very personally: Friends of his were at the Nova music festival massacre and barely survived.
You can watch Draiman's acceptance speech, as well as video of him speaking out against terrorism and antisemitism onstage during a concert, below.
Disturbed's most recent album is 2022's Divisive.
