Gidi Gov

Gidi Gov (Hebrew: גידי גוב), born Gideon Gov on August 4, 1950, in Rehovot, Israel, is a prominent singer, actor, television host, and entertainer known for his contributions to Israeli music and media over five decades. He gained early recognition in 1969 by joining the IDF's Nahal Troupe, an army entertainment group, where he performed alongside future collaborators and met his future wife, playwright Anat Gov, whom he married in 1977; the couple had three children before her death from cancer in 2012. Gov's career breakthrough came in 1973 when he co-founded the rock band Kaveret (also known as Poogy), which became one of Israel's most successful pop-rock groups with hits blending humor, satire, and melody before disbanding in 1976; the band later reunited for performances, including a 2013 live album.

Transitioning to a solo career, Gov released his debut self-titled album in and achieved commercial success with platinum-selling records such as Manners in 1987 and Not a Day Left in 1991, establishing himself as a defining voice in Israeli popular music with themes of love, everyday life, and social commentary. He also formed the band Gazoz in the late 1970s, releasing two acclaimed albums, and collaborated with comedy troupe Zehu Zeh in the 1980s, showcasing his versatility as a performer. In acting, Gov starred in key Israeli films including The Troupe (also known as The Band), Paratroopers (1977), and Dizengoff 99 (1979), often portraying charismatic, relatable characters that mirrored his on-stage persona.

In 2025, Gov signed an open letter alongside over 1,000 artists, including Chava Alberstein, demanding an immediate end to Israel's military operations in Gaza. The petition decried the government's actions as causing civilian deaths, starvation, and widespread destruction, while calling for the release of hostages and invoking Jewish values of humanity to advocate for peace. This public stance drew backlash from some quarters, including singer Idan Amedi, who accused the signatories of spreading misinformation, but it underscored Gov's commitment to human rights and de-escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.