Arab songs now spotlight Palestinian issues

From pathos to praise of Hamas, songs written by musicians across the Middle East in response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza are putting the Palestinian issue back at the forefront of Arab popular culture.

The music mixes defiance, helplessness, and anger over the war being waged by Israel on Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group that governs the Gaza Strip.

In Cairo, the popular Egyptian wedding singer known as Rudy took requests for her new lyrics praising Hamas spokesman Abu Obaida.

“Abu Obaida, O Lion-Hearted… set them all ablaze,” she belts out to a percussive beat.

In Jordan, artists from different Arab states gathered in October to record a song dreaming of a Palestinian “return” to lands in by Israel. It has been viewed millions of times on social media.

The rise in popularity of songs that sympathize with the Palestinians or encourage Hamas – including by artists who generally avoid politics – reflects anger over Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, its occupation of Palestinian territory, and over US and European support for its military campaign.

It also shows the support among Arab people for Hamas and for armed opposition as Israel tries to eradicate the terrorist group.

The conflict has proved divisive worldwide and ignited broader cultural battles.

In Israel, artists have also produced songs about October 7. Some reflect on the suffering of victims, others are vengeful.

One music video features a survivor of a Hamas attack on a music festival on October 7. Another, produced by Israeli rapper Subliminal, shows residential blocks in Gaza being flattened by airstrikes while Israeli tanks and snipers prepare for war.

KEYS AND KEFFIYEHS

In Arab societies, a vast majority of people see the war as a Western-backed assault on Palestinian civilians.

Wedding singer Rudy said watching Israeli attacks left her feeling helpless and wanting to sing in support of Hamas.

At many weddings where she performs, attendees ask her to sing about Gaza, including her song about Abu Obaida, who became a regular feature on Arab news channels after the war began, appearing masked in videos to read out Hamas statements.

“Abu Obaida – we see him as a hero who stands up against Israel. There are children dying and he is standing up to defend them,” Rudy said.

Lebanese rapper Jaafar Touffar also raps about Abu Obaida and the Aqsa Flood – the name Hamas gave its October 7 assault – and said “more is coming” to Israel.

A poll by the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies in Qatar in January showed 67% of 8,000 respondents saw the October 7 attack as a “legitimate resistance operation” against occupation.

Only 5% said it was an “illegitimate” attack. Three-quarters viewed the US and Israel as the biggest threats to regional security and stability.

In Saudi Arabia, a poll by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy showed 96% of respondents believed Arab countries should cut all ties with Israel.

Before October 7, Palestinian issues had been largely forgotten about as Gulf kingdoms normalized relations with Israel and abandoned demands for a Palestinian state.

Now such issues dominate discussions of regional politics, from social media to homes, coffee shops and the halls of power.

In a music video by Kuwaiti singer Humood Al Khuder, symbols long used by pro-Palestinian activists abound: keys to homes Palestinians lost during the establishment of Israel in 1948, the black-and-white keffiyeh head scarf, and a lost wandering cartoon refugee child called Handala.

‘NEVER FORGET WHAT’S HAPPENING’

Lebanese musician Zeid Hamdan said his music now focused on the war and its spillover into Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah exchange rocket fire and airstrikes.

“I don’t perform anymore to promote myself as an artist. I am on stage to wake people up and to spread a message of urgency. I am going from fundraiser to fundraiser to protest,” he said.

Arab musicians realize their music may not change the course of the war, or influence Arab leaders.

Ghaliaa Chaker, whose song “Returning” was recorded in Jordan with 24 other Middle Eastern artists, says her aim is to keep Gaza’s plight in the spotlight.

“I really hope they (Gazans) know they’re in our prayers,” she said.

“That’s the best we can hope for… to keep talking about it. Never forget what’s happening.” (Reuters)