For more than a decade, Amit Mizrahi has produced shows across the world, working with international and Israeli artists alike. But the veteran producer and agent of actor-musician Oshri Cohen says nothing prepared him for what unfolded in Houston, Texas—a night he describes as “a very disturbing experience” unlike anything in his 12 years in the industry.
International actor and DJ Oshri Cohen and international producer Amit Mizrahi at an Anemiot event in the United States - Interview with Amit Mizrahi, Oshri Cohen's producer and agent
(Video: Yaron Brener)
The trouble began before the concert. In the days leading up to Cohen’s performance, Mizrahi’s phone and inbox filled with hostile messages. “We were supposed to perform in Houston, Texas, and before the show, we started receiving countless messages on our phones, Instagram, Facebook – saying things like: 'Jews are committing genocide,' 'Don’t come,' 'Don’t support Israeli artists.' It had nothing to do with music. They were attacking us online, and we realized something unusual was happening.” Mizrahi, who has organized countless events, says he had never seen such backlash for bringing in an Israeli performer.
Concerned, Cohen asked for additional security. On the night of the show, Mizrahi arranged for several guards, and the concert itself proved electric. Behind the stage, a sign declared “Bring Them Home Now” and “We Will Dance Again,” a tribute to the hostages and the Nova festival victims.
But that atmosphere shattered once the lights dimmed. After the show, Cohen and Mizrahi descended to the parking lot, escorted by guards. They retrieved their car from valet, and once the guards dispersed, the two settled inside. Then came what Mizrahi describes as “a huge bang on the windshield.” At first, they didn’t understand what was happening. When he stepped out, Mizrahi spotted two masked men sprinting away. “Within seconds, our bags, equipment, headphones, money – everything was stolen."
The bags—containing equipment, headphones, cash, even unreleased songs—were gone. Outside the club, Mizrahi noticed three or four men speaking Arabic, laughing as the chaos unfolded. "A few Arab guys outside, who had also been in the club, laughed and mocked the situation. We called the police – they never came," he said.
The police never arrived, even after forty minutes. For Mizrahi, the intent was unmistakable. “I’ve done events all over the world, and nothing like this has ever happened. And yes, I’m absolutely certain this was not criminal, but antisemitic and anti-Israeli.”
Shaken but defiant, Mizrahi refuses to back down. With another major Cohen production scheduled in New York, he frames the attack as part of a larger struggle. “We’re not afraid of anyone. Am Yisrael Chai. We’re Jews, we’re strong, and we’ll fight antisemitism with pride,” he says. The Houston incident only reinforced his determination to press forward: “We’ll keep going, always with our heads held high.”