""This is the first time I've been caught up in such a storm, I had no intention of creating a provocation," said singer Yuval Dayan in an interview she gave to 'Weekend News' on Channel 12 - the first since the storm caused by not shaking hands with US President Joe Biden. "I got into the car, and suddenly I see, my phone is full of messages and questions.".
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According to her, the process of repenting about two years ago also began to protect her from the pressures and exposure of her as a successful singer.
Regarding the criticism leveled at her, she said: "My conclusion from this incident is that those who chose to generate the harsh energy are simply people who are keyboard criminals. You should know that this is violence in every sense of the word.".
In retrospect, would you have shaken the president's hand? asks interviewer Jonathan Rieger.
""not".
that?
""Because that's not the discussion at all. The discussion is when did we, as the State of Israel, lose that. When did we lose the ability to accommodate a person who thinks differently from us? I'm not saying agree. I'm not saying agree at all, but I'm saying accommodate. When it comes to violent and aggressive discourse, I think this is a very, very significant warning light for all of us.".
She added: "In my language, to express respect for a man who is not my husband, who will come, God willing, it's like that, with a bow. That's my language. And when the president's hand was extended to me, I was terribly moved. I was terribly, terribly, terribly moved. And there I didn't feel the clash.".
""There it was clear to me that what I was going to do as a person - you know, I'm already a 27-year-old woman, I have experience in quite a few situations of social dynamics, and this situation was really pleasant for me and it went through a terrible part. I mean, the moment I did this action, the president got even more excited. He got even more excited. I got off the stage, I met all the senior officials of the State of Israel, none of them told me... I didn't accept that face.".
Is there a musical change in your conversion?
""not".
nothing?
""Klezmer and stuff and what not," she laughs.
What actually confuses the people who saw you? They see you singing with Ran Danker, a man, and you standing next to him. You perform with male musicians. You don't pay attention to...
""Keeping in touch with me, as far as I'm concerned, my musicians, the guys I meet on dates, all the senior officials of the State of Israel, I keep in touch with everyone. That's who I am. Keeping in touch with me, this is the most private point that I'm going to open up now, comes from two places: from a religious place and from an emotional place.
""No one knows what it's like to be exposed to so many people from the age of 16 and a half. My way, which I've developed for myself over the years to keep myself clean within this thing, with a protective wall of values and worldviews that keep me focused within the situation, are mine. Ultimately, my choices and my body are mine.".
Why do you feel like you have to protect yourself so much with this kind of wall?
""I really, really believe that any relationship that doesn't have boundaries can end up in a bad situation. A destructive situation.".
The public shaming shook her, and after a few sleepless nights, Yuval decided to return to that moment that caused the storm and understand whether she had publicly whitewashed a president.
""I said to myself, 'Yuval, if they really all talk like that and worry about the president's honor, why do you mind checking?' I was calm with myself, but I said, 'I'll pick up the phone to the president's office, I'll tell them - 'Let's try to find out and find out what really happened there, if the president of the United States is really sitting in the White House now and really thinks I rocked his world with that handshake.'".
And this is how it unfolded: "A connection was actually made with the American ambassador, he called me and spoke to me in English, and I was a little stressed. And I asked him: 'Tell me, did you feel something wrong on stage?' He laughed. I just burst out laughing on the phone. And when he laughed, I started crying. Because I told him, 'Listen... I'm going through something difficult here and I need you to help me. I need you to check with the president firsthand if I hurt his feelings. Even a little bit.
""He tells me, 'That was the highlight of his visit, but I'm willing to check.' We checked, I got a video of a reaction, and the whole situation turned upside down," she recalls.
In the response video, Ambassador Tom Neides said: "I want to convey a message to you, Yuval. The president greatly appreciated what you did, and your loyalty to your religious values.".
There is women's singing and there is keeping in touch. They are two different things. I want to see you perform. Will I be able to see you perform in ten years?
""You can come see me whenever you want.".
Will you continue to perform in front of men?
""I never said I stopped performing for men.".
