An Israeli mafia hitman who bombed music industry figures for refusing to play his songs now sits in prison at age 70, still claiming he deserves musical stardom while facing potential parole.
Story Snapshot
- Avner Harari, known as “The Terminator,” served 40 years for violent crimes before pursuing a failed music career
- After radio hosts refused to play his Mizrahi songs, Harari orchestrated bombings targeting music industry gatekeepers in 2016-2017
- The 70-year-old hitman was sentenced to 11.5 years for attempted murder and bomb plots related to his musical ambitions
- Harari remains incarcerated but continues writing and performing music for fellow inmates, earning the nickname “the Nightingale.”
Criminal Past Meets Musical Delusions
Avner Harari spent most of his adult life as Israel’s most feared organized crime enforcer, earning the moniker “The Terminator” through decades of violent criminal activity. After serving 40 of his 61 years behind bars, Harari was released in 2016 with claims of personal transformation. Rather than seeking quiet redemption, the aging criminal harbored grandiose ambitions of becoming a celebrated Mizrahi music star, despite having no discernible musical talent or industry connections.
Violent Response to Rejection
When radio hosts and music industry professionals refused to play Harari’s amateur recordings, the former hitman’s criminal instincts resurfaced with deadly intent. Between 2016 and 2017, a series of bombings rocked Tel Aviv, specifically targeting individuals who had blocked Harari’s path to musical recognition. The attacks included prominent figures in the Mizrahi music scene, demonstrating how personal rejection triggered the same violent responses that defined his criminal career.
Justice System Responds to Terror Campaign
Israeli law enforcement quickly connected the bombing campaign to Harari’s frustrated musical ambitions, leading to his arrest and prosecution for attempted murder and terrorist activities. In 2017, courts sentenced the aging criminal to 11.5 years in prison, recognizing that his claims of rehabilitation were hollow promises masking unchanged violent tendencies. The case highlighted serious flaws in Israel’s parole system and raised questions about releasing career criminals without adequate psychological evaluation.
Prison Performances and Parole Concerns
Now 70 years old, Harari continues his musical delusions from behind bars, writing songs and performing for fellow inmates who have dubbed him “the Nightingale.” He maintains claims of tremendous vocal power while insisting he deserves recognition as a legitimate artist. Most troubling for public safety advocates, Harari reportedly faces potential parole consideration in 2025, despite showing no genuine remorse for his bombing campaign or acknowledgment that his musical aspirations were unrealistic fantasies.
Sources:
The Strange Tale of Israel’s Singing Hitman
The mafia hitman who dreamt of being a pop star
The Strange Tale of Israel’s Singing Hitman
