DISTURBED Frontman: Israel 'Is The Only Place Where It's OK To Be Jewish'

DISTURBED frontman David Draiman, a 37-year-old born and bred Jew, was interviewed by Ynet during his recent three-week visit to Israel. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On what he likes about Israel:

Draiman: "First and foremost, the thing I love most about Israel is the fact that it's the only place where it's OK to be Jewish. The only place you can feel proud wherever you go, you have your people and your culture and there's nothing to fear. It's very different from how most of the world sees Israel from their TV screens.

"I love the direct connections to our history here. I love how you can go skiing in the snow on the Hermon and go diving in Eilat. If you want to celebrate, then you have the Ibiza of the Middle East — Tel Aviv and if you want a little culture and history you have Jerusalem.

"I love so many things about Israel. You can't not feel something when you're here, there is definitely a spirituality that can't be felt anywhere else in the world."

On whether he has considered one day moving to Israel:

Draiman: "The truth is that one of the things I thought of doing on my visit this time around was looking into the option of buying real estate not necessarily to live here, because that would make things very complicated. My band is based in Chicago, so if I suddenly decide to make aliyah it would create all sorts of problems. But with the number of visits I make, it's definitely something that's worth checking out."

On the possibility of DISTURBED playing a concert in Israel:

Draiman: "It's something I've wanted to do my whole life. If god wants it to happen, we'll make it happen some day. I really hope we can make it here on our next tour. We're working on it. . . Beyond the fact that people here tell me here and there that they love the band, I think I will be convinced when I can finally put on a show and the audience comes. That would be the real proof."

Read the entire interview from Ynet.