Nicole Schiavi, October 9, 2003

JERUSALEM -- At a time when Israel’s security situation deters musical artists from planning tours in the country, the German hip-hop band "Normal Generation?" has raised eyebrows among the European media by mentioning its upcoming Israel tour during recent interviews.

The questions inevitably follow.

"We tell them we are going to Israel so that they ask questions and we can take a stand," Rebecca Gamer, the Christian band’s sole female member, told ICEJ News. "It could cause us some problems, but in this case we don’t really care."

But Rebecca said the media also knows the band has been "to both sides." This is the band’s second Israel tour, this time sponsored by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem during its annual Feast of Tabernacles celebration. The group’s first tour, this summer, included stops in Jerusalem, Haifa, Bethlehem and Beit Jalla.

This time around, the band will perform at a venue on Jerusalem’s busiest pedestrian mall, Ben Yehuda Street, where dozens of Israeli teens hang out until late hours. Normal Generation?, which hit the music radar screen when they became finalists at the Euro-Vision Song Festival in 2002, and the ICEJ has teamed up during the Feast of Tabernacles to stage a concert designed to bring a message of hope to Israeli youngsters.

"Friendships between the young generations - between young Israelis and young Germans, for instance - can change a lot more than political contracts or speeches," Rebecca said. "That is one of the reasons why we are coming to Israel this time. In order to have hope for the future, we need to get to know each other."

During this tour, they will play at the Feast of Tabernacles celebration and at Jerusalem’s Sahar Park, in addition to the benefit street concert. The ICEJ has partnered with the Municipality of Jerusalem’s Youth Department to promote and stage this concert. Popular Israeli artist Tomer Joseph and his band will also be performing at the Ben-Yehuda event.

"Normal Generation’s music and songs are designed to bring young people together from all walks of life and nationalities in order to meet, have fun and affirm a bright future," says ICEJ Executive Director Malcolm Hedding. "Their music has a message, and that message is one of hope and peace."

Rebecca has a personal connection to the Holy Land that began when her father, an archaeologist, came here for archaeology digs in the Latrun area. Rebecca was 14-years-old then. Ten years later she has returned with three other band members. Performing in the land has galvanized the band’s position on Israel.

"Part of our effort is to talk about the (Israeli-Palestinian) subject and raise awareness," Rebecca said. "Christians and others want to know our stand – we tell them Israel is the country where God’s people are to live. The non-Christians do not like it."

The band’s first Israeli concert was in Haifa at a home for elderly Holocaust survivors.

"Especially us, as young Germans, we wanted to do that," Rebecca said. "We didn’t know how they were going to react. In the beginning they were very reserved, we played a quiet song and then we handed out roses. We told them we cannot change anything in the past but there is a young generation that wants to make a difference."

The concert so moved an older man from Berlin that he stood up and said that by the band’s coming there, he could now start to forgive and move on.

The band also performed in Palestinian territory – at Bethlehem University and at a Christian center for disabled children.

"All four of us (in the band) agree that our hearts beat for Israel," Rebecca said. "But when I studied in Israel I met some Arabs and I wanted to get the whole picture. A lot of people tell you different things, but we decided we want to make our own picture of the situation. Palestinians are also having problems and we wanted to know their situation also."

To coincide with the release of their latest single, the band launched the 2003 "Power of Love" peace project, featuring tours to foreign countries impacted by war and conflict, to help bring hope, reconciliation and practical assistance.