When Doves Cry: Has 'Peace' Disappeared From Israeli Popular Culture?

By Itamar Katzir
Ha'aretz
October 3, 2024

"'The musical soundtrack of a nation often reflects the prevailing mood,' says veteran radio producer Dalit Ofer, formerly director of music station Galgalatz.

"In the lacuna between one prime minister who was assassinated with the blood-soaked words to 'Song for Peace' in his pocket while trying to make peace, and another who only recently declared that the sword will devour forever, it's easy to understand how peace songs have disappeared…

"Where have all the peace songs gone? They haven't disappeared – they've simply been relegated to the margins…

"When you talk about the catalog of peace songs relative to mourning songs – it's clear which of them wins, and in a big way…

"People here are still seeing themselves as 'the peace-seeking nation of Israel,' and also talk about 'inner peace,' he says. But no one is thinking about what really needs to be done, about what courageous steps need to be taken for there to be peace…"

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