Jackson fans in Israel mourn his death
Michael Jackson lovers gather in Tel Aviv Saturday evening to support each other. 'I can't believe he's gone,' says one pop icon fan, who plans to attend singer's funeral in US
Dozens of Israeli Michael Jackson fans gathered at Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv Saturday night to mourn the loss of their beloved pop icon. The devastated fans, some with tears in their eyes, met to talk about Jackson, offer support to one another, light candles and sign a huge poster, which they plan to place on his grave this week.
Posters, T-shirts and other Jackson memorabilia were put on display on the square's floor. "The people who have come here are just a small fraction of his fan club in Israel," said Naama Hagag, 27, one of organizers of the gathering. "We've come together in recent days to support one another, to feel we're not alone and of course to pay our respects to Michael."
Naama Hagag signs poster at square (Photos: Dudu Azulay)
"There are no words to describe this feeling," said Hagag, who – along with other Israelis, is waiting for the official notice of the date of Jackson's funeral, which she plans to attend. "It feels like a person who's been a daily part of your life, a part of you, was taken away."
'Too good for this world'
Hagag said that a lot of people have come up to her making "tacky jokes" about Jackson. "I hope that all the cynics will realize that for us Michael wasn't just a singer, but a part of us. They should be more considerate and keep their spiteful remarks to themselves, at least until we start getting over the pain," she stated.
'Hard to believes he's gone'
Shmulik Malul, 25, also plans on flying to the United States for the funeral. "Michael is in our blood and veins… it's hard to believe he's gone," he said, adding that at first he was certain that reports about the singer's death were nothing but a media spin.
Shir Ben Elul, 21, believes that after his death Jackson will be cleared of the allegations against him. "All those who have spread rumors about him all these years will be forced to admit they were wrong. I have a friend who also thought Michael was a pedophile, but I ended up convincing him he wasn't. Michael was a wonderful, naïve person, whose naïveté caused his downfall… I guess he had to die, because he was too good for this world."
