‘Superman’ musician revamps 9/11 song to honor Hamas hostages, urges anti-Israel protesters, other artists to ‘get on the right side of history

New York Post - Apr 16th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Singer-songwriter John Ondrasik, known by his stage name Five for Fighting, has re-recorded his poignant 2000 hit 'Superman' to highlight the ongoing plight of over 20 Israeli hostages, including classically trained pianist Alon Ohel, held by Hamas since their kidnapping on October 7, 2023. The new version of 'Superman,' released on YouTube, features altered lyrics to reflect hope for their safe return and aims to draw attention to their suffering and the families' resilience. Ondrasik emphasizes the need to raise awareness and compassion for these hostages, particularly among those who may view the crisis purely through a political lens.

The re-release of 'Superman' not only seeks to offer solace to the families but also challenges artists and the broader music industry to break their silence on the humanitarian crisis. Ondrasik urges fellow musicians to use their platforms to advocate for human rights and the release of hostages, regardless of their political stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. He criticizes the industry's lack of response to the hostage situation, contrasting it with its usual advocacy for human rights causes, and calls for a united stand to free the hostages, emphasizing the moral imperative over political alignments.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article effectively combines human interest with current events, focusing on the personal story of Alon Ohel and the advocacy efforts of musician John Ondrasik. It excels in engaging readers emotionally and raising awareness about the ongoing hostage situation in Gaza. The clarity and readability of the article are strong, with a well-structured narrative and accessible language. However, it could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including additional viewpoints and context about the broader geopolitical situation. While the story is timely and relevant, further verification of certain claims and greater transparency in sourcing would enhance its accuracy and reliability. Overall, the article succeeds in highlighting an important humanitarian issue, though it could deepen its impact by exploring the complexities of the conflict more thoroughly.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents information that is generally consistent with known facts about the individual Alon Ohel and the re-recording of the song "Superman" by John Ondrasik. The article accurately reports Ondrasik's intentions and actions, such as re-recording the song to raise awareness for Israeli hostages held by Hamas. However, some claims require further verification, such as the exact number of hostages and the specific conditions of Alon Ohel's captivity. The article states that there are approximately 24 hostages, which aligns with some reports, but this number should be cross-verified with authoritative sources. Additionally, the claim about a cease-fire agreement nearly leading to Alon's release needs further substantiation with details from diplomatic sources or official statements.

6
Balance

The article predominantly presents a perspective sympathetic to the Israeli hostages and their families, which is understandable given the human interest angle. However, it lacks a balanced exploration of the broader geopolitical context, such as the perspectives of Palestinians or the political complexities surrounding the hostage situation. While the focus on the hostages is appropriate for the story's narrative, the absence of these additional viewpoints might lead to a perception of bias, especially in a highly polarized issue like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Including a broader range of perspectives could enhance the story's balance and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

8
Clarity

The article is generally well-written, with a clear narrative structure that guides the reader through the story of Alon Ohel and John Ondrasik's efforts. The language is accessible, and the quotes are effectively integrated to convey the emotional weight of the situation. The article maintains a neutral tone, focusing on the human interest aspect rather than delving into inflammatory rhetoric. However, the inclusion of more background information could improve clarity, particularly for readers unfamiliar with the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or the specifics of the October 7 attacks.

7
Source quality

The story relies primarily on direct quotes from John Ondrasik and Alon Ohel's mother, Idit Ohel, which are credible sources for the personal aspects of the narrative. However, the story would benefit from additional authoritative sources to confirm the broader claims about the hostage situation and diplomatic efforts. For instance, including statements from government officials or international organizations could strengthen the article's reliability. The reliance on a limited number of sources, while appropriate for the personal elements, limits the depth of the reporting on more complex geopolitical issues.

6
Transparency

The article provides clear attribution to its primary sources, such as direct quotes from John Ondrasik and Idit Ohel. However, it lacks transparency in terms of the broader context and the methodology behind some of the claims, such as the exact number of hostages and the details of the cease-fire agreement. By not disclosing the basis for these claims or providing links to supporting documents or statements, the article leaves some questions unanswered. Greater transparency about the sources of these broader claims would enhance the reader's understanding and trust in the reporting.

Sources

  1. https://www.foxnews.com/media/five-fighting-reimagines-superman-powerful-tribute-israeli-hostages
  2. https://lamag.com/music/five-for-fighting-john-ondrasik-israel-hostages
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6T6sDcQ2kU
  4. https://jewishinsider.com/2024/04/five-for-fighting-superman-john-ondrasik-israel-tel-aviv/
  5. https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2025/04/14/watch-five-for-fighting-singer-john-ondrasik-releases-musical-tribute-to-alon-ohel-58-hostages-of-the-october-7th-massacre/