A local Israeli Arab singer who gave performances in countries across the region was shot dead by unknown assailants overnight Tuesday as he returned from a wedding where he had just performed.
Shafiq Kabha, 53, was gunned down as he returned to his home in Kafr Qara, southeast of Haifa, reportedly by two men on a motorcycle, the Ynet news site reported.
He was taken by ambulance to a hospital but succumbed to his wounds.
“Shafiq was a man of sterling qualities,” his sister Maria, who managed her brother’s band, told the news outlet. “We all loved and respected him. At first I couldn’t believe it because he has no enemies.”
Kabha earned a reputation as a singer of classic Arab music both in Israel and abroad, and had given performances in many Middle Eastern countries, especially Jordan.
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According to his sister, Kabha had worked for 30 years as a singer. She said she would not seek revenge but rather would put her faith in the police investigation and divine retribution.
“The police will do their job,” she said. “We will leave the matter for God to avenge.”
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