Amir Benayoun~Israeli Singer Banned by Petty Politician

I have written before of Israeli singer Amir Benayoun (See Links Below Video). He is very popular with the people and many of his songs speak to the events present and past in this country.

He has addressed issues from the barbaric murder of the Fogel Family in 2013 to a song for international Holocaust Day. Last summer he gave a concert in Hevron, where he met with a survivor of the Hevron Massacre (who sadly passed away this year).

Amir Benayoun had been scheduled to sing at an event marking the expulsion of Jews from Arab Lands and Iran on Sunday, 30 November 2014. Suddenly, President Reuven Rivlin cancelled his appearance. Why? Because Benayoun wrote a song pertaining to the situation in Jerusalem and Israel today. On his Facebook page Benayoun states that he "wrote a protest song from great pain over the recent wave of terror." The song addresses the violence and targeting of Israelis and the pain it causes. It is a response to the terrorism in which Arab terrorists used their positions of employment in order to murder Jews.

The news does not report it, but Arabs are rioting, attacking, and destroying property of Jews on a daily basis. The costs are in the millions of shekels. Most of the Arabs carrying out these heinous attacks live and/or work in Israel. Arab Israelis receive the same benefits as Jewish Israelis, such as medical services and child support, from the state. They attend Israeli schools and universities and in fact, have more rights than Arabs in any "Arab" country. They do not appreciate this, because they "want it all". Raised on hatred and taught lies on a daily basis, the goal is not a two state solution, but a one state solution with all Jews dead. In fact, many Arab-Israelis are in favour of terror attacks and support the elimination of the Jewish people.

And Jews are being murdered, such as the five men who were hacked and shot to death in a synagogue this past week~an evil act that was carried out by two Arabs wielding axes, knives and guns, one of whom was employed in a shop next to the very synagogue they attacked. How convenient!

Heaven forbid that we should admit the truth. So far only one government member, Minister for Senior Citizens, Uri Orbach (Jewish Home) has spoken out against the cancellation, saying he would not attend the event because he views the cancellation as an infringement on freedom of expression. Indeed, there is usually no comment when the criticism is aimed at religious Jews or pro-Jewish groups, but let an Israeli speak the truth on Arabs attacking Jews, and the government gets its knickers in a twist. What a group of sick-minded people. Shame on them all! 

To all who are due to attend this event, how about speaking up for the rights of Jewish Israelis, and refuse to attend unless Amir Benayoun is allowed to perform as originally planned?

Lyrics to "Ahmed Loves Israel "~Thanks to Arutz 7:

Salaam Aleichem, my name is Ahmed.
I reside in Jerusalem, I study at the University a thing or two.
There's no one like me that enjoys both worlds
Today I am moderate and smiling
Tomorrow I'll fly up to Heaven
Sending a Jew or two to Hell.

It's true I'm just a plain slimy ingrate
It is true but I'm not guilty as my childhood was loveless
It's true that moment you turn your back to me
Then I'll bring down on it a sharpened hatchet.

My name is Ahmed
I live in the country's center.
I work right next to a kindergarten
And behind it some cooking gas balloons. (propane tanks)
There's no one like me that enjoys both worlds
Today I'll be me
And tomorrow they'll be not,
Many many of them will not be.

It's true I'm just a plain slimy ingrate
It is true but I'm not guilty as my childhood was loveless
It's true that moment you turn your back to me
Then I'll shoot straight into it.

"עמיר בניון אחמד אוהב ישראל~Amir Benayoun~Ahmed Loves Israel

Links to Posts About Amir Benayoun:

http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2011/06/amir-benayounmusic-with-message.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2013/03/never-forget-fogel-family.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2013/06/amir-benayoun-meets-with-survivor-of.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2013/06/amir-benayoun-performance-at-cave-of.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2014/02/amir-benayouns-postcard-to-mk-ahmed.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2014/02/amir-benayouns-song-for-international.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2014/02/amir-benayounanother-new-songhusseins.html

Amir Benayoun~Another New Song~Hussein's Jerusalem

Last week I posted a new song by Israeli musician Amir Benayoun. His music is a true mix of middle-east and modern and appeals to everyone. He has a special talent for interpreting what is happening in our world and putting it into words and music. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he also sings in Arabic.

A few days ago, on Arutz 7, there was an article about Benayoun and another new song he has posted on his Facebook Page.

The song is a warning to Israelis that the Holy City of Jerusalem is being sold out by the leaders of Israel~in complicity with US President Obama. So true! The problem is nobody else is willing to state the obvious!

According to the article, on Arutz 7, the Hebrew references the song, Jerusalem of Gold~Yerushalayim shel Zahav, and Hussein refers to Obama's middle name

Note:

Jerusalem of Gold was based on a Basque folk melody and written by Naomi Shemer in 1967. The original song described the Jewish people's 2000-year longing to return to Jerusalem; Shemer added a final verse after the Six-Day War to celebrate Jerusalem's unification under Israeli control. 

With all due respect to Shemer, the best version of Yerushalayim shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold) in my opinion, was performed by Ofra Haza for Pa'amoney Hayovel (Jubilee Bells), the national celebration commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel, at Hebrew University Stadium, Jerusalem, Israel on Thursday, 30 April 1998 (See Below)

Amir Benayoun begins his song with Isaiah 66:10...

“Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad in her, all you who love her...”

  

Benayoun then continues...

because the prime minister and all his friends apparently gave it up a long time ago.

Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad in her,
as long it is possiblebecause it has been sold out behind our backs.
They are only putting on an act for show.

Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad in her, as long it is possible,

because Hussein from America wants it, and he is determined and cruel.

The song ends with Psalms 137:

“If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.

Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you;

if I do not place Jerusalem at the top of my joy.”

Amir Benayoun is one of my favorite musicians. If you are not familiar with his music~I recommend you go to YouTube and listen to his music. Do go to his Facebook Page and give him a "Like" as well!

Hussein's Jerusalem by Amir Benayoun

Yerushalayim shel Zahav~Ofra Haza (19 November 1957~23 February 2000)

Jerusalem of Gold~Yerushalayim shel Zahav~Ofra Haza
The mountain air is clear as water
The scent of pines around
Is carried on the breeze of twilight,
And tinkling bells resound.

The trees and stones there softly slumber,
A dream enfolds them all.
So solitary lies the city,
And at its heart...a wall.

Oh, Jerusalem of gold, and of light and of bronze,
I am the lute for all your songs.

The wells ran dry of all their water,
Forlorn the market square,
The Temple Mount dark and deserted,
In the Old City there.

And in the caverns in the mountain,
The winds howl to and fro,
And no-one takes the Dead Sea highway,
That leads through Jericho.

Oh, Jerusalem of gold, and of light and of bronze,
I am the lute for all your songs.

But as I sing to you, my city,
And you with crowns adorn,
I am the least of all your children,
Of all the poets born.

Your name will scorch my lips for ever,
Like a seraph's kiss, I'm told,
If I forget thee, golden city,
Jerusalem of gold.

Oh, Jerusalem of gold, and of light and of bronze,
I am the lute for all your songs.

The wells are filled again with water,
The square with joyous crowd,
On the Temple Mount within the City,
The shofar rings out loud.

Within the caverns in the mountains
A thousand suns will glow,
We'll take the Dead Sea road together,
That runs through Jericho.

Oh, Jerusalem of gold, and of light and of bronze,
I am the lute for all your songs.

Amir Benayoun's Song for International Holocaust Day

On 27 January 2014, the largest ever delegation of Knesset (Israeli Parliament) members traveled together with Holocaust survivors to the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau camp.

Popular Israeli musician, Amir Benayoun composed a song (see video below) to Moshe Klugheft's lyrics specifically for  the commemoration ceremony on International Holocaust Memorial Day 2014.

The historic gathering, focused on combating anti-Semitism, was held in honor of the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust. This year, 2014 marks the 69th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau by the Allied troops in 1945.

The Israeli delegation included over sixty Members of Knesset~each one accompanied by a Holocaust survivor. The delegation also included senior representatives of the Israel Defense Forces, the Chief Rabbis of the State of Israel and representatives of various student groups, signifying the living link between the past and the future. Anti-Semitism is not just a Jewish or Israeli issue, but a global struggle, as was demonstrated by the large number of elected officials and Parliamentarians from around the world, including Europe, and a senior bi-partisan group of leaders from the US Congress. 

Jonny Daniels, an Israeli, founder and Executive Director of "From the Depths", a non-profit organization devoted to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and connecting the Jewish past with the Jewish future, stated:

At least one Holocaust survivor an hour is dying in Israel and we are getting very close to the point where there will be no more first-hand accounts left. The onus falls on us, not just as Jews and Israelis, but humanity as a whole, to learn, to be with the survivors and to understand what happened and to ensure it never repeats again.

Last One Left~Amir Benayoun (Lyrics Below)

The Last One Left

Words: Moshe Klugheft

Composed by: Amir Benayoun

Translation: Yoel Lax

I am the last one left, From The Depths I call out to you;

My soul calls out for the hope, I stayed alive even though I died.

I am the last one left, I remained a human being even when I was just a number;

A loaf is bread is something that you eat, 
but under the pillow it, I would always keep.

Chorus:

And in the relay race I was left alone;

The torch is relayed now from hand to hand

Take from me everything, I am like the burning bush;

You will remain here to tell the story.

I am the last one left, still attached to the Israelites in the desert;

I have no rest, I wander and roam;

All that remains are the memories from the cattle cars.

I am the last one left, returning now to the provinces of the past;

This grass is green from dread;

I call out to you, Mother Nature.

Chorus:

And in the relay race I was left alone;

The torch is relayed now from hand to hand;

Take everything from me, I am like the burning bush;

You will remain here to tell the story

There are millions of eyes staring at me now, How can I give up?

I am the last one left, to tell the story.

Amir Benayoun's "Postcard" to MK Ahmed Tibi~Priceless!

I have posted articles about Amir Benayoun in the past. He is a very well known, and well loved singer-song writer in Israel. He is a musician of the people.

In the post "Music With a Message", I included three very moving songs:

* We Are Brothers~against Israelis who are viciously attacking our country (includes and English translation);

* Dust Yourself Off~a song he performed with the Itamar Perchey Yoav Childrens's Choir, for the Shloshim of the five members of the Fogel family who were slaughtered by "PA" terrorists (based on a verse that Ruth Fogel quoted when they were being expelled from Gush Katif "Shake off the dust. Arise! Put on your splendid clothes, my nation!"~See the video with 12-year old Tamar at the end of this post); and

* Zini~in Arabic, which became popular with the Syrian opposition forces (they actually requested him to record it in Arabic~which he did).

In 2013 he performed his song, "Standing at the Gate" for an open air concert outside the Ma’arat HaMachpela in Hevron.

Only the day before Amir had an emotional meeting with 85-year-old Shlomo Slonim~ The "Sole" surviving son of Eliezer Dan and Hannah Slonim~slain with his brother in the Hevron Massacre of 1929.

A Jew of Algerian heritage, Amir Benayoun writes songs that speak to the heart of the people. He is not afraid of controversy and this is reflected in his music. His latest tune is in the form of a "Satirical Postcard" to MK Ahmed Tibi of the Knesset.

Tibi is well known for his "hate" of Israel, even though he is a Knesset member. He praises our enemies and served as a political advisor to the late PA president and former leader of the terror group PLO, Yasser Arafat. That Tibi can sit in Israel calling for her downfall says much for the tolerance of our country. Anyplace else (especially his beloved "arab" run countries) would have him jailed or put to death. Yet, Israel lets him speak.

After Tibi's latest (of many, many) outbursts~insulting and screaming lies before the Prime Minister of Canada, and screaming bloody murder when it was suggested that his town be handed over to the PA to rule (Tibi prefers his soft life as an Israeli citizen~he knows he will never have it this good under the PA), Amir Benayoun composed and recorded this song.

Benayoun wrote this dedication to Tibi:

"Dear Ahmed, given the talk about Jews living under Palestinian sovereignty, it appears you and Bibi have had great success. Allow me to send you a song. 
Lovingly, Amir."

The postcard in the video states (sarcastically):

"Since my childhood, I have had three unrequited ambitions: 
One, to become a D.J., second to become a standup comedian and third to sing in a group that performs Arab folk songs. And now, at last, G-d has given me the opportunity to fulfill all three at once."

Amir Benayoun's music speaks to us all. You can listen to more of his music on YouTube.

 Amir Benayoun's Postcard to Ahmed Tibi~צי מ~עמיר בניון  ארולדתי

Tamar Fogel Speaking After the Slaughter of Her Family in Itamar

* Article on Amir Benayoun's "Postcard" Originally posted by Arutz7

Amir Benayoun Performance at the Cave of the Patriarchs

A few days ago I wrote about the emotional meeting between Amir Benayoun and 85-year-old Shlomo Slonim~Sole surviving son of Eliezer Dan and Hannah Slonim~slain with his brother in the Hevron Massacre of 1929.

Amir was in Hevron for a concert outside Ma’arat HaMachpela. There is nothing like a live concert in the open air~anywhere in Israel~but in front of the Cave of the Patriarchs it is truly an experience. One of the songs Amir Benayoun performed in Hevron on Sunday, was his hit “Standing at the Gate”~which of course was precisely outside the "Ma’arat HaMachpela"~the kever of our Patriarchs. The second video below shows more of the concert, and follows as Amir visits the Ma’arat HaMachpela.

As always the case with live concerts, the crowd knew the words by heart and participated enthusiastically. The song is a cry to the Messiah to come and save the Jewish people and the world (translation below the video)...Enjoy!

Amir Benayoun Concert at  the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hevron

Here is a Rough Translation (From Arutz7):

I heard that you are coming back all the way

I saw angels preparing the table for the son of the King

I saw a ladder, too, ascending and descending

I heard wind touching the leaves

I saw you, it was not a delirium

I heard that the sea declared a joyous day

I saw the stars and moon dancing

They, too, know how to roll back

I heard that the sun is in fact a shadow

I saw a tower shake and fall

(Chorus)

Come, we have been waiting for you for too many years

We have become mad, we have lost our visage

We are simply withering away, so come

Yes, come, there are no more vessels* for us to break

We do not know who is sober

and who is drunk, and falling into the well, as it happens

So come, yes come

I heard that you are really standing at the gate

and that every innocent lamb will be able to live in the forest, and I heard

that this heart, too, will not die anymore

Imagination will sign a peace treaty with reality

All the sounds will be one simple song

Come, we have been waiting for you...

(*A kabalistic allusion)                                                                                             

More of Amir Benayoun in Hevron

 

Amir Benayoun Meets With Survivor of Hevron Massacre...

I have  written about and posted songs by Amir Benayoun before (See Links At Bottom of Post). He is well known for his soulful music, telling stories about Israelis and their many struggles. A prolific songwriter as well as a singer, Benayoun was awarded the Akum Prize (New Discovery), but chose to decline the award and donate it instead.

In 2011 he become a hit in Syria of all places with his album Zini. The Syrian opposition leaders, requested that he record three songs in Arabic~he did so and dedicated them to activists in the Syrian uprising.

When the brutal slaughter of the Fogel Family shook the country, Benayoun recorded a song with the Itamar childrens choir in remembrance.

Once again, he has released a new song to touch the hearts of all Israelis called, "Mother Look" (English translation is below Video) about the return to Hevron. According to Arutz 7, the song was heard by 85-year-old Shlomo Slonim Sole surviving son of Eliezer Dan and Hannah Slonim who were slain along with his brother and in the massacre. Shlomo was a one-year-old baby at the time and the injuries he suffered that day affect his life to this day. Shlomo wanted to meet Benayoun. They met in Shlomo's home in Raanana, where he told his story. An emotional Benayoun said: 

  

“Shlomo’s story gives a chilling meaning to this song. The story gives this terrible event a face and names that will be in my mind when I perform the song” 

 Mother Look by Amir Benayoun~עמיר בניון אמא תראי

 

“Mother, Look” (Translation):
Mother, look, so much time has gone by, I’ve returned to you
Mother, listen, my voice is hoarse on the mountaintop, I’ve returned to you
In your alleyways lie pieces of my life, and my fathers’ lives
Your signs point to me

Chorus:
The fathers, the four mothers
In your veins runs the history of our lives
Your signs, our mother
Always point to us

Mother, look, so much time has gone by, I’ve returned to you
Mother, look, I was delayed, but I have returned to you
Mother, don’t cry, we are here, your sons and daughters
I remembered who I was right away when I returned to you

Links for Amir Benayoun:
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2011/06/amir-benayounmusic-with-message.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2013/03/never-forget-fogel-family.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amir_Benayoun

Never Forget the Fogel Family...

Exactly two years ago today the Fogel Family were brutally murdered by fakestinian barbarians on a Shabbos evening, as they slept in their beds. (Links to Stories Below the Videos)

Father Udi, had his throat slashed, Mother Ruth came from the bathroom and fought to the death, Yoav, 11 years old had his throat slashed while 3 year old Eldad was stabbed multiple times in the heart. Finally, in a last act of savage barbarity, tiny baby Hadas~only 3 months in this world~was slashed and stabbed in the head as she lay next to her dead father...

What kind of animal slashes and stabs tiny children? What kind of people help them to cover their guilt? And finally, can anyone explain why the disgusting leftist, Raya Yaron, spokeswoman of Machsom Watch (a women's group that interferes with soldiers looking for weapons and explosives at checkposts) ran to embrace Nuf Awad, mother of the murderer? Yet there was not a single tear for the Fogel family. Evil has no shame...

The two murderers confessed to the slaughter of five human beings and expressed no remorse~they even said that had they realized there were two more children sleeping in the house, they would have killed them as well. They saw no problem in slitting baby Hadas's throat, they explained, since she was a Jew.

Don't forget the fakestinians who celebrated and handed out sweets in the street~because innocent children were murdered in their beds.

The world, remained silent~the press all but ignored the events of that night two years ago, and continue to treat it like~like what? A youthful prank? You do not have to defend Israel or the Jewish people, I would not expect that. What I would expect is some semblance of decency, humanity~a family was brutally slaughtered simply because they were Jews! 

Killing Jews~well, it is not as if a fakestinian had to go through a checkpoint~now that is a reason for outrage and protests...

* Interview with a Medic who attended the Fogel house at Tundra Tabloids... 

Terrorism in Israel

 

Dust off Your Feet~Tribute to the Fogel Family by Amir Benayoun

Links to Posts on the Fogel Tragedy:
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2011/03/video-platform-video-management-video.html
* The video in this post was removed by YouTube as a violation of their policy on shocking and disgusting content...

http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2011/03/fogel-family-what-world-does-not-know.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2011/03/fogel-familymassacred-by-palestinian.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2011/03/melanie-phillips-itamar-massacre.html
* The video in this post was removed by You Tube 
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2011/03/interview-with-12-year-old-tamar-fogel.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2011/04/interview-with-bereaved-father-of-ruth.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2011/04/hatikva-at-bergen-belsen.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2011/04/but-buttheyre-only-children.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2011/04/pre-pesach-interview-with-mayor-of.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2011/05/itamar-yeshivathey-murder-we-build.html
http://frumlife.blogspot.co.il/2011/06/amir-benayounmusic-with-message.html

Amir Benayoun~Music With a Message

In a news brief from Arutz 7, I read that Israeli singer Amir Benayoun had released an album in Arabic and the Syrian opposition forces were playing it--a lot--in particular a song titled Zini. Some news articles claim he wrote Zini (also the name of the album) specifically for the Syrian opposition. The songs are based on the book of Kohelet. Local stores in Israel don't seem to be stocking Zini, but you can order it directly from his company,  Nevel Asor (Israel) number 08 610 5559. The company is not open on Shabbat or Jewish Holidays (Good for Them!)

Amir, whose father was born in the Jewish community of Algeria, is a popular musician who does not shy away from controversy.  He came under fire from the self-hating left when he released the song We Are Brothers (translation follows video) which contains harsh lyrics against Israelis/Jews who viciously attack the country.

In April 2011, Amir wrote Dust Yourself Off, and recorded it with the children’s choir of Itamar  for the Shloshim~observance of 30 days~since five members of the Fogel family were murdered by terrorists in their home on 11 March 2011. I still cry for these precious souls while the world continues to hail their barbaric slaughter as "justified".

His music is a rich blend of the middle-east and very easy to listen to. Below are the three songs mentioned above, for your enjoyment. You can also listen to many more of his tunes online.

We Are Brothers (Hebrew) Translation Below

I preserve your identity, I protect your children 

I put my life on the line for you and you spit in my face

After they failed to kill me from the outside you come and kill me from inside

I haven’t seen my mother in a month neither my son nor my house nor my wife

I always charge forward with my back to you [but] you sharpen the knife

more than anything, this thought burns my soul and you, 

how come you still don’t understand

I am your brother, you are an enemy you hate me 

I love [you] when I weep you laugh behind my back you are killing me,

why, you are my brother

I am the future you are the past and the present is broken between us

I go hungry for you you gorge yourself and over-imbibe

when my throat is dry you drink liquor my lips are always sealed for your safety

but you deliver me to the foreigner [ie. gentiles, Goldstone, NIF, Anat Kamm]

I am your brother, you act like an enemy Why? You’re my brother

[Narrator reads a prayer~used in Prayers for the IDF]:

He who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

May He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Forces

Who stand guard over our land and the cities of our God

From Lebanon to the desert of Egypt

And from the Great Sea [Mediterranean] unto the approach of the Aravah

On the land, in the air, and on the sea

For it is the Lord your God who goes with you To battle your enemies for you to save you

Now let us say: Amen

Dust Yourself Off~Itamar Murders

Zini (Arabic)