Right-wing group releases pop song, mobilizes synagogue-goers against human rights groups in Israel.
Right wing group Im Tirtzu – The Second Zionist Revolution has continued its campaign against Israeli human rights organizations and the New Israel Fund over the weekend and during Israel’s Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers.
Remembrance Day commemoration began on the evening of Sunday 18 April and will continue until this evening, when the opening ceremonies of Israel’s Independence Day will begin.
Remembrance Day is commemorated, among other things, through the broadcasting and singing of songs in memory of fallen soldiers throughout the day. Im Tirtsu, a student-based organization whose aim is to ‘respond to Post Zionist expressions within the public,’ has commissioned and distributed a pop songfrom one of Israel’s most popular singers, Amir Benayun, which accuses human rights groups of betrayal.
In the song, “I am your Brother,” a soldier accuses his brother of betraying him while he fights to protect the country. “I advance, always with my back to you – and you are sharpening the knife.” The Israeli prayer for the soldiers of the IDF, recited each Saturday in synagogues, is also quoted in the song.
According to Israeli media, Im Tirtzu members also distributed 15,000 pamphletsin synagogues around the country, modifying the memorial prayer for the dead, Yizkor, to include a passage inciting against human rights groups:
“Let the people of Israel remember those from within it, flesh from their flesh, who participated in claims against its officers and soldiers. Those who during the time of the battle to defend Israel stood at protests and called their soldiers war criminals. Remember those in who deep darkness befriended the worst enemies of Israel in order to harm the holy ones who delivered their souls for the sake of the nation,” the altered passage read
On Friday, Im Tirtzu organized a demonstration outside a musical eventheld by human rights organizations and the New Israel Fund in support of democracy. They held “wanted” signs with images of leading Israeli policymakers, suggesting that the activities of Israeli groups had led to their indictment abroad. Similar posters were posted throughout the country.
Tensions are expected to rise tonight, during the opening beacon-lighting ceremony of Israel’s Independence Day. The Israeli police has given a license to Im Tirtsu to hold a counter-demonstration during an alternative beacon lighting ceremony organized by activist group Yesh Gvul.
The ceremony, held annually for the past 12 years as an alternative to the official state ceremonies on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, calls for “a just, equitable and deserving Israel”, and honors 13 peace and human rights activists who will light beacons “for an immediate cessation of senseless violence and of the occupation regime that generates it,” and “for peace with all our neighbours.”
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