Israel is "stealing" arab music

Is the statement above a sign of israelophobia? Yes clearly it is I argue.

On the internet arab bloggers and composers are mad of Israel because of Israeli artists are "stealing" their music. Instead of thinking of it as a an israeli tribute to arab music and an act of antiracism the Egyptian composer and artist Amr Mustafa chose to view it as stealing. In Youtube there are several israeli tributes to arab music labelled as "zionists stealing" arab music. However Amr Mustafa only mention Israeli artists buying copyright from Egyptian music companies but not the turkish and lebanese and greeks aswell copy egyptian music and Egyptian copying Turkish music.

This approach to israeli cultures use of the middle eastern herritage is something I faced myself when I once played an israeli mizrahi song with a traditional oriental style. An arab then commented and asked what language it was sung in. I told him that it is in Hebrew and Arabic and it was Israeli artists performing the song. His instant reaction was that it was stealing arab music,however that song was purely original israeli (Ishtar - Yahad).

Why this sentiment that a love for the culture is stealing and why this only is

referred to when it comes to Israel?

A little bit more of Arab composers "stealing" israeli compositions maybe would

contribute to peace.

Below Eti Bitton's interpretation of one of Amr Mustafas hit songs:

A chinese proverb - Eti Biton

Amr Mustafa about copyright (in Arabic):

We didn't start the fire

A fire has hit the Carmel forest in nearby Haifa area in Northern Israel. This is How Israeli comedians give their view on this topic. A cover of We didn't start the fire but with new hebrew lyrics. Meanwhile it is interesting that Iraqi Christians are spreading a rumour that Israel was behind the recent killing of Christians in Bagdad Church. And another ridiculous accusation was made by South Sinai Governor Mohamed Abdel Fadil Shousha claiming that Israel was behind the new shark attacks in Egypt. It is sad and hilarious to see how Jews and Israel always are blamed for everything they haven't done and how little self- criticism there is in the Middle East.

Egypt Governor: 'Mossad may be behind Red Sea shark attacks':

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3995302,00.html

Miracle of light - equivalent for X-mas

5/12 23:1 (updated 6/12 10:24 by

The Equivalent for Christmas in the Jewish religion is the Hanukkah or the "light festival". And in the coming year (2011) it will be in the same time as Christmas.

It has many things in common with Christmas. Just like Swedes light candles for every week before Christmas the Jews in Israel and around the world light the Mennorah, the eight candles for every day in this holiday. The holiday is to remember how the jews got rid of the Greek God Zeus from the Temple in Jerusalem. And the eight candles are there to remember the oil lamp that burned for 8 days in the temple.

In this period you eat special food for Hannukah aswell as singing special songs like we do in Christmas time.

Instead of getting presents 1 day like Christians, jewish children get gifts for every day during this 8 days celebration.

In Christmas times there are a lot of Christmas songs displayed in TV and radio but very few Hanukkah songs. Jewish-American reggae star Matisyahu made this very catchy song this year. "Miracle"is the song and involves a mix of snow, Santa Claus mennorah and characters from the Hanukkah story.

An uplifting pop gem arriving just in time for the holiday, "Miracle," produced by Dr. Luke protégé Kool Kojak (Flo Rida, Katy Perry, Ke$ha), is drenched in a joyful spirit and features chiming synths, bouncing beats and an irresistible chorus.

Matisyahu says, "There are so many Christmas songs out there. I wanted to give the Jewish kids something to be proud of. We've got Adam Sandler's song, which is hilarious, but I wanted to try to get across some of the depth and spirituality inherent in the holiday in a fun, celebratory song. My boy Kojak was in town so at the last minute we went into the studio in the spirit of miracles and underdogs and this is what we came up with. Happy Hannukah!"

Lyrics of "Miracle":

Just livin’ in the miracle, candles are my vehicle
Eight nights, gonna shine invincible
No longer be divisible, born through the struggle
Keep on moving through all this hustle
Head up, heads down through all of the bustle
New York City wanna flex your muscle
Look so down, look so puzzled
Huddle ‘round your fire through all the rubble

Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all

[Chorus]
Do you believe in miracles
Am I hearing you? Am I seeing you?
Eight nights eight lights and these rites keep me right
Bless me to the highest heights with your miracle

Against all odds drive on till tomorrow
Wipe away your tears and your sorrow
Sunrise in the sky like an arrow
No need to worry, no need to cry
Light up your mind no longer be blind
Him who searches will find
Leave your problems behind you will shine like a fire in the sky
what's the reason we’re alive – the reason we’re alive…
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all

[Chorus]
Do you believe in miracles
Am I hearing you? Am I seeing you?
Eight nights eight lights and these rites keep me right
Bless me to the highest heights with your miracle

Eight is the number of infinity one more than what you know how to be
And this is the light of festivity when your broken heart yearns to be free

[Chorus]
Do you believe in miracles
Am I hearing you? Am I seeing you?
Eight nights eight lights and these rites keep me right
Bless me to the highest heights with your miracle

Song to Achmadinejad

3/12 22:13 (updated 3/12 22:46 by

Israeli mizrahi singer Mariaje releases a new song dedicated to the president of Iran saying that his reign will soon come to an end. Cute song which compares Achmadinejad to the Bibles story about a Persian leader that tried to kill all Jews in Persia, Haman. Haman was however not successful and ended up hanged himself on order from the Persian king because of his hateful plan. Hate will never be successful!

The Song:

Well here is the lyrics to the song:

Ahmadinejad Ahmadinejad is still to get his verdict

This is the end of all evil hate to Israel

How the world is in chaos because of a small dwarf

this dwarf reminds us all of Haman

His hatred of us strong and deep

Inshallah we will introduce the smurf to Mecca

Do not say we did not say what will happen

Even your evil end will come you'll see

Ahmadinejad Ahmadinejad is still to get his verdict

This is the end of all evil hate to Israel

Like Saddam before him he threatens with missiles

We have a strong army and the Book of Psalms!

Finally he finds the rope on neck

Like Haman he is going to end up the same way

Do not say we did not say what will happen

Even your evil end will come you'll see

Ahmadinejad Ahmadinejad is still to get his verdict

This is the end of all evil hate to Israel

השנאה שלו אלינו חזקה ועמוקה
אינשאללה לדרדס עוד נכניס את המכה

אל תגיד שלא אמרנו מה יהיה
גם סופך רשע יגיע - עוד תראה.

אחמדינג'אד אחמדינג'אד את עונשו עוד יקבל
זה סופו של כל רשע ששונא את ישראל

כמו סאדם לפניו מאיים הוא עם טילים
לנו יש צבא חזק וגם ספר תהילים!

בסופו הוא ימצא את החבל על צוואר
כמו המן הרשע הוא יגמור אותו דבר

אל תגיד שלא אמרנו מה יהיה
גם סופך רשע יגיע - עוד תראה.

אחמדינג'אד אחמדינג'אד את עונשו עוד יקבל
זה סופו של כל רשע ששונא את ישראל

Ololo - Shlomi Saranga

Shlomi Saranga is an Israeli mizrahi singer (eastern/oriental style) often singing in a greek style. Here he breaks into the old Egyptian style covering one of the Arab Worlds most famous songs and most famous singers, Abdel Halim Hafez. Teh refrain is kept in original arabic while the main lyrics is in hebrew but follows the old arabic way of singing lyrics addressing the singers lover as a male
example "reveal to him, tell him he is the one in my heart". The song is recorded by this israelis artist together with a real arabic orchestra and with some of the musicans that has played with the original singer Abdel Halim Hafez whose love life was as as sad as this song since he could never marry the love of his life due to the family of the girl he loved did not accept him. When they finally did accept him she was already ill and died very quickly.

This song is not entirely new to the Israelis as it was featured in an israeli comedy show, performed in arabic. I will give you both of the clips here

"United" - RUFF, SHI 360 & EVISH (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

three israeli hip hop artists response to the "Freedom Flotilla". And included is the American journalist Helen Thoms now so infamous speech about the Jews in Israel.






Lyrics:
Chorus x 2:
When the world's gone lost
We're gonna help you find the way
Too much drama in my eyes that I can't hide
When the world's gone lost
I don't plan to fall with it

Verse 1 - Ruff:
I'm on the wrong side of the map, activists with knifes got me trapped
Surrounded by hostility, trying not to react
Flotillas of hatred, we're caught in the matrix
I'm trying to survive, they're pulling the same tricks
This international hypocrisy won't get us far
One-sided media puts us behind bars
Nations with no minorities, judging with no authority
They're gonna tell me how to deal with what's in front of me
What about Sudan and North Korea? Could they care less?!
They wanna boycott us, they're gonna share less
We're lying on the fence for the rest of the world
Provide a buffer zone while overseas they get us sold
I know my people can be divided at times
Got too many opinions with too much shit on our minds
You can hate us now, we ain't gonna fight it
You're only making us stronger and more united

Chorus:
When the world's gone lost
We're gonna help you find the way
Too much drama in my eyes that I can't hide
When the world's gone lost
I don't plan to fall with it

Verse 2 - SHI 360:
‏But I ' m already home and the media distorts your vision
‏Got blind followers here in full submission
‏Provocateurs,‬ they just wanna instigate
‏And create the image you love to hate
‏You can talk about humanitarian aid
‏Politically affiliated IHH
‏Guess who's more popular? Erodgan
‏Fuck left and right , we should all stand as one
‏You really thought we were gonna let 'e m in?
‏When yesterday they tried to bring Karine
‏A - was that aid or to arm Jihad?
‏Wanna talk about aid ? What about Gilad ?
‏Because the horse is trojan, doors not open
‏I gotta do whatever to protect my home and
‏I ' m a peace dealer, my flow killa
‏But no peace came at me on the flotilla

Chorus x 2:
When the world's gone lost
We're gonna help you find the way
Too much drama in my eyes that I can't hide
When the world's gone lost
I don't plan to fall with it

עם ישראל חי

Soulico feat Axum: A new guy comes to the neighborhood

Hip hop reaggae duo Axum is doing a cover produced by Soulico. The israeli duo has yemenite and etiopian jewish roots and is one of the leading israeli hip hop/rap/reaggae groups in Israel.
The story in the song is about a new guy who is moving into the neighborhood originally sung by composer Alon Olearchik even though he meant it to be sung by Ofra Haza.

This coming season 2 of Avoda Aravit ("Arabic Labor") will feature the song. Maybe the clip tells something about what will happen in the first episode? Anyway exciting. On July 17 is the release date for season 2 in Israeli Channel 2. Prime time!
The series is the first arabic sitcom on mainstream Israeli TV and last season even made the US chief of Foreign Affairs mrs Hillary Clinton ask for a copy during a visit to Israel. On July 28 the arab-israeli writer of the show, Sayed Kashua, will receive "San Fransisco Jewish Film Festivals Freedom of Expression Award", SFJFF reporting on their website.