Taylor Swift’s bodyguard returns to Israel to fight against Hamas

An Israeli bodyguard who has been working for superstar Taylor Swift on her global Eras tour has returned to Israel to fight.

The guard, who chose not to share his name, is quoted in the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom saying: “I have a pretty great life in the US – a dream job, great friends, and a comfortable home. I didn’t have to come here, but I couldn’t stand by while families were slaughtered and burned alive in their homes. Don’t stand by and do nothing. Don’t be on the wrong side of history.”

The guard had gone viral over the summer for his attentiveness while protecting Swift. Clips of him closely watching the crowd while escorting Swift into and out of her concerts were the subject of several videos and posts across social media.

In his statement to Swissa, the guard strongly condemned Hamas, writing: “Those are not human beings.” He went on: “I’m not only standing here with Israel and actually standing here. I’m standing here with humanity. Don’t be on the wrong side of history!! Don’t stand on the sidelines and say nothing… Stand with Israel, stand with HUMANITY!!!!!”

Swift, who has spoken out on political and current events in the past, has so far not publicly commented on the war in Israel. That silence has elicited criticism from some of her fans, especially as she promotes her new concert film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour which opened on Friday and set a box office record.

Nicole Rose, a Jewish jeweller with 150,000 Instagram followers, wrote: “Terrible timing. Kids are getting raped. Innocent people are dying on both sides. Hamas, a terrorist organisation, is slaughtering Israelis… but it’s ‘launch day’??? I’m super disappointed in her.”

While presale tickets for the Eras film had been selling quickly in Israel, all cinemas are currently closed.