Israeli Singer Aviv Geffen Detained, Escorted Out by Security for Holding Hostages Sign at David Gilmour Concert in LA

Shiryn Ghermezian

Aviv Geffen, right, with the sign he held at the David Gilmore concert on Oct. 30, 2024. Photo: Screenshot

Israeli rock musician Aviv Geffen was escorted out of a David Gilmour concert in Los Angeles on Wednesday night and detained by security for holding a sign that called for the return of the hostages abducted from Israel by Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists last Oct. 7, Ynet reported.

Geffen shared on his Instagram Story photos and videos of him attending a concert of the British guitarist and Pink Floyd band member at the Hollywood Bowl and helping to hold a large sign that read, “Wish They Were Here,” a nod to a classic Pink Floyd song “Wish You Were Here.” The sign also featured an image of a yellow ribbon, which has became the symbol of hope for the release and safe return of the hostages kidnapped by terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023, during their deadly rampage across southern Israel.

In a video that Geffen posted on Instagram Story, a security guard is seen stopping the Israeli singer and telling him that he cannot hold the sign during the concert. Security “asked me why I was holding it up, and I explained that I’m from Israel and it;s for the hostages,” Geffen later said of the incident, as reported by Ynet. “They asked me to put it down, and I refused.”

Geffen, who is currently on a US tour, said he was then escorted outside the venue, briefly detained by security, and released shortly afterward. The Hollywood Bowl has not commented on the matter.

The Israeli singer also wrote in an Instagram Story that after the concert, he went backstage and gave Gilmour a yellow ribbon pin in honor of the hostages.