by Ernest Newman
A song that was originally introduced by the Israeli Defense Forces Entertainment Brigade, but banned by the right wing government, only to become a popular theme song for the Israeli peace movement.
Yitzhak Rabin, popular Center/Left Prime MInister of Israel sang along with this song at a large election rally, just before he was assassinated, Nov 4th, 1995, by a right wing fundamentalist extremist settler, for making decisive moves toward peace. A blood soaked copy of the lyrics were found in his coat pocket.
Shir LaShalom
Let the sun rise
Early Performance by IDF Entertainment
Shiri Maimon sings, to large youth audience, including many IDF in uniform
With Memorial Ytzhak Rabin photo montage
And give the morning light,
The purest prayer
Will not bring us back.
He whose candle was blown out
And was buried in the dust,
A bitter cry won't wake him
Won't bring him back.
Nobody will return us
From the dead dark pit,
Here - neither the victory cheer
Nor songs of praise will
help.
Refrain:
So - sing only a song for
peace,
Do not whisper a prayer.
Better sing a song for peace
With a big shout.
Let the sun penetrate
Through the flowers,
Don't look backward
Leave those who departed.
Lift your eyes with hope,
Not through the rifle sights.
Sing a song for love,
And not for wars.
Don't say the day will come,
Bring the day
Because it is not a dream,
And within all the city's
squares,
Cheer only peace.
Refrain:
So - sing only a song for
peace,
Do not whisper a prayer.
Better sing a song for peace,
With a big shout.
Early Performance by IDF Entertainment
Shiri Maimon sings, to large youth audience, including many IDF in uniform
With Memorial Ytzhak Rabin photo montage
1 comment:
I post this to call attention to the fact that there is a vibrant, dedicated, sincere peace movement in Israel, even among the military, which has consistently organized, and been very active in mobilizing material support, assistance and relief for the Palestinian people, often at great personal risk and danger.
Of course, my intention here is not to glorify the IDF, Rabin, Arafat, or the Clintons, who clearly manifested major shortcomings...
But I would like to point out that had the peace process been culminated, however imperfectly, at that time, we'd be a lot further along now, toward more just solutions...
But, that did not occur primarily due to the assassination of Rabin, and the ruthless undermining and sabotage of the Clinton administration, by right wing extremists in both countries.
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