Israeli musician and comedian Nancy Brandes fiercely defended the IDF and his son serving in Gaza, blasting artists who accused soldiers of war crimes while also sharing his personal journey of survival and faith.
In a candid interview with Yediot Aharonot, Nancy Brandes, one of Israel’s most beloved musicians and comedians, lashed out at fellow artists who accused IDF soldiers of committing war crimes, calling the claims baseless and offensive.
Brandes revealed that his son Yonatan has been serving in Gaza since October 7 and dismissed the accusations against Israeli soldiers:
“My son told me there is no army more moral than the IDF. True, in war there are tragedies, but he described how careful they are not to harm anyone uninvolved. With all due respect to Chava Alberstein and others—who are you to call my son a war criminal?”
A Life Shaped by Survival and Faith
The 72-year-old entertainer, who has survived five life-threatening medical crises, said his brushes with death deepened his belief in divine providence:
“When I left the hospital, I realized my survival wasn’t just medical—it was spiritual. I believe from the depths of my soul that I am being watched over.”
Although Brandes remains secular, he has embraced several Jewish traditions thanks to his eldest daughter, Lior, who became religious 20 years ago. He now begins each morning with the Modeh Ani prayer, refrains from eating chametz on Passover, and fasts on Yom Kippur—even if, he admits, he doesn’t fully know why.
As a gesture of gratitude after his recovery, he took his daughter and three grandchildren to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, describing the experience as “like a madhouse.”
Family and Service
Brandes is twice divorced, a father of four, a grandfather of five, and recently became a great-grandfather to baby Shira, born to his 23-year-old grandson Eliezer, a Breslov Hasid.
Asked about ultra-Orthodox military service, Brandes was forthright:
“As far as I know, Eliezer didn’t evade the draft—he wasn’t called up. But I’ll say this clearly: haredi people can and must serve.”
Brandes’ remarks reflect both a deeply personal defense of the IDF through his son’s service, and his evolving outlook on faith and responsibility, shaped by survival, family, and national duty.
