“The fetus, a proud Martyr in his mother’s womb” – Songs on official PA radio
-The songs Palestinians hear on official PA radio
- “We decorated [the land] with Martyrs, souls, and blood”f
- “O Palestinian, Jerusalem is your name, your land, your heartbeat, and your mother. Redeem it with your life and blood”f
- “Jerusalem... our souls are the sacrifice for you”
by Nan Jacques Zilberdik
When Palestinians tune in to the official PA radio station, The Voice of Palestine, they hear songs encouraging them to seek Martyrdom-death and to sacrifice themselves for Jerusalem, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and “Palestine.” Catchy lyrics pass on the message that Palestinians are “not afraid of death,” and teach them that already in its mother’s womb, the fetus is “a proud Martyr” who has “Palestine etched on the heart”:
Palestine is etched on the heart of the fetus
A proud Martyr in his mother’s womb
Official PA radio station The Voice of Palestine, Feb. 3, 2018]
The Fatah-run TV station Awdah broadcast the music video of this song too (video above):
[Fatah-run Awdah TV, May 15, 2018]
Discussing PA media’s responsibilities, Director General of The Voice of Palestine Bassam Daghlas has stated that PA radio works diligently to “defend Jerusalem and Palestine” - in cooperation with the PA Ministry of Information:
[Official PA TV, Dec. 12, 2017]
The songs speak for themselves.
One song lauded death for “Palestine,” which has been “decorated” with “Martyrs, souls, and blood”:
In January, Palestinian Media Watch reported on a similar song played on official PA radio, which urges Palestinians to “redeem Palestine with your life and blood":
[Official PA radio station The Voice of Palestine, Jan. 1, 2018]
After PMW’s report, radio station Director-General Daghlas accused PMW of "waging an incitement campaign" against the station, and vowed “not to change” the station’s “message”:
It would seem that Daghlas was true to his word. Another recent song played on The Voice of Palestine stated that our souls are the sacrifice for Jerusalem,” and that Palestinians “are not afraid of death”:
and our souls are the sacrifice for you.
We are your men who will defend you,
and shout loudly:
Al-Aqsa Mosque is for us
a beacon, glory, history, and culture...
Frankly, we are not afraid of death.”
[Official PA radio station The Voice of Palestine, Feb. 21, 2018]
“The time of death has arrived,” said another song, implying that Palestinians are coming to defend Jerusalem and, if necessary, die there:
Official PA radio station The Voice of Palestine, March 19, 2018]
The ultimate goal as presented in these songs is the end of Israel. One song explained that the “grave has been dug” for the “occupation,” and that “Zion will not continue for long”:
PMW has documented that PA TV uses songs and music videos to incite to murder and urge Palestinians to use violence and seek Martyrdom-death in confrontations with Israel.
The following is a longer excerpt of the interview with Director General of the official PA radio station The Voice of Palestine Bassam Daghlas:
Official PA TV program Palestine This Morning, on the role of radio stations in supporting the Palestinian cause, hosting Director of Broadcast Media in the PA Ministry of Information Daoud Daoud and Director General of the official PA radio station The Voice of Palestine Bassam Daghlas
Official PA TV host: "In radio work in general, and particularly at The Voice of Palestine, there is a responsibility that we cannot forget because The Voice of Palestine radio [station] is a source for the local radio stations, and also for Arab stations and some of the foreign stations that translate the news items and convey them. Therefore, the work is 24 hours [a day]... This responsibility and this work - let's talk about The Voice of Palestine radio, this wave of broadcasts in which there was coverage for six days after the decision of the American administration [to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital]... What is the responsibility you bear in conveying this picture since you are the source for official media outlets?"
Host: "No one can deny or ignore the role of the Palestinian media in supporting and defending the Palestinian cause, and particularly the objection to [US President Donald] Trump's decision that recently recognized Jerusalem as the capital of the occupation state, and the transfer of the American embassy to Jerusalem."
[Official PA TV, Dec. 12, 2017]
US recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel - On Dec. 6, 2017, US President Donald Trump formally recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Trump added that the final borders of Jerusalem will be determined during negotiations.
The US embassy opened in Jerusalem on May 14, 2018, the anniversary of Israel's declaration of independence in 1948 according to the Gregorian calendar.
The song above mentioning “Land Day” refers to an annual commemoration of the general strike and demonstrations organized by Israeli Arab residents of the Galilee on March 30, 1976 to protest the Israeli government's decision to expropriate land in the Galilee for security and building purposes, which it later implemented. During the protests, demonstrators burnt tires, blocked roads, and threw rocks and firebombs. Six demonstrators were shot and killed by the Israeli army and police. Israeli Arabs and Palestinians consider Land Day a national day.