Security guard on Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour returns to Israel to join Israel Defense Forces

Variety reports that the security guard decided to leave the United States to join the IDF reserves as he saw the deadly attacks by Hamas on Israeli citizens. The attacks were widely publicised after it was revealed that 260 people had died at Supersonic Festival, near the Gaza-Israel border.

Speaking to Eran Swisa, an Israeli journalist from Israel Today, the unnamed security guard said: “I got a pretty great life back in the US. I got an amazing dream job that I love, great friends that I call family and a very comfortable home. I didn’t HAVE to come here… But I could not stand on the sidelines while families are being slaughtered and burned alive in their homes!!! Just for being Jewish or for being Israelis.”

He went on to condemn the Hamas fighters and their acts as inhumane. “I’m not only standing here with Israel and actually standing here. I’m standing here with humanity,” the guard said to Swisa, who posted about the news on his TikTok and Instagram. “Don’t be on the wrong side of history!! Don’t stand on the sidelines and say nothing… Stand with Israel, stand with HUMANITY!!!!!”.

“thanks so much for coming” 🥹 pic.twitter.com/0Vjld6hhoE

— marley (@marleyharper) July 9, 2023

Footage of the security guard protecting Swift whilst she was exiting a show on The Eras Tour went viral online, with fans noticing his intense concentration, and dedication to his job.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip, calling for water, electricity and food to be cut off to the Palestinian territory from which Hamas’ invasion was launched.

The siege, which has been criticised for breaking humanitarian law, comes in response to a brutal terrorist attack by Hamas on 7 October. The death toll from the conflict so far has risen to at least 1,400 people killed in Israel and nearly 2,700 people killed in Gaza, as reported by CNBC.