Bein Hanahar Layam by Benaia Barabi

Playing on the popularized chant often used at anti-Israel protests “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free,” Benaia Barabi’s “Bein Hanahar Layam,” meaning “from the river to the sea,” emphasizes Israel’s unity as a Jewish state. The pop song, released a couple of months after Barabi’s single “Zeh Beseder,” features melodic notes and an incorporation of acoustic guitar that resemble an older Hebrew song genre. This sets a bright tone for the song that balances the heavier lyrics. The song is addressed to the state of Israel itself; in Barabi’s address, the song follows the painful yet powerful stories of three war heroes he has met. The touching storytelling allows me to connect with the experiences of the war’s victims, but the song as a whole leaves me with a sense of gratitude for the Jewish homeland and all of its people.

Moledet by Hanan Ben Ari

Striking a tone of patriotism while glorifying Israel as a vision of the Biblical prophets, “Moledet” by Hanan Ben Ari implores the Israeli people to rely on their history in light of the current injustice. Ben Ari’s pop song was released on Oct. 16, and fits within his range of religious Jewish music. In the song, Ben Ari illustrates his faith by personifying the state of Israel, belting that it “will never break” despite the “bleeding” it is suffering from. The Israeli artist’s feelings are fluidly translated into the music uplifting his fellow Israelis and Jews abroad, and to echo the spirit of “Am Israel Chai.” The lyric’s plea for peace empowers me, and the way that Ben Ari desperately sings his plea only strengthens that feeling. “Moledet” is a beautiful tribute to the ancient and modern trials of Israel’s statehood, and its resilience.

Tirkedi (7.10.23)

Released by Osher Cohen on Nov. 1, “Tirkedi (7.10.23)” tells the stories of victims of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks who fled from the violence in a battle against time. The title of the pop song translates to “dance” as an ode to the victims of the Hamas attack at the Nova music festival that began the war, and holds onto the hope that those victims are “dancing” wherever they are now. Listening to the song instills that same hope in me, and reminds me of the importance of unity amid the suffering. The harmonies of “Tirkedi” work in unison with the lyrics to elicit mournful emotions; its narrative serves as an artifact of 21st century Israel history.