Pro-Palestine Protesters Interrupt Regina Spektor Portland Concert

At Regina Spektor's concert in Portland's Revolution Hall on July 26, a small group of attendees disrupted the show by chanting "Free Palestine," prompting Spektor to pause and address the crowd. Spektor, a Jewish immigrant from the former Soviet Union and a vocal supporter of Israel, responded firmly, telling the protesters, "You’re just yelling at a Jew," and asking them to leave, emphasizing that her concert was not the place for this political discussion. The audience largely sided with Spektor, chanting supportive Hebrew phrases such as "Am Yisrael Chai" (The people of Israel live), while a few attendees left the venue following her invitation. Spektor expressed frustration over being "othered" in the U.S. despite fleeing antisemitism herself, highlighting the deeply personal nature of her stance. Protesters and some audience members highlighted the ongoing suffering and civilian deaths in Gaza, leading to tension and a division within the crowd. The incident underscores the intense emotions and polarized views surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, which continue to manifest in public and cultural spaces.