Israeli band members to become Turkish citizens

ISTANBUL

Hürriyet Photo

Members of Israeli heavy rock band Orphaned Land are set to become Turkish citizens, daily Vatan reported today.

The Israeli band has won Turkish people's affection after staging a concert in Turkey despite rising tension between Turkey and Israel due to the Mavi Marmara incident in which nine Turkish activists were killed in 2010.

"The Mavi Marmara incident broke my heart so much; I cried for days," vocalist Kobi Farhi said in the 2010 concert.

The band was given a "Friendship and Peace Award" by Turkey for their contributions to peace.

"The band will stage a concert in Turkey in September," Orphaned Land's manager said. "I hope the process will run properly and [the band] will be in their second homeland, Turkey, as Turkish citizens for the next concert."