Israel is a scorpion, "despicable and self-centered," in PA TV music video
Israel is a scorpion, “despicable and self-centered”
in PA TV music video
Composer and singer of song is advisor to the PA
by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik
A blue and white scorpion representing Israel chases a turtle whose shell is covered with the traditional Palestinian scarf. This is one of the cartoon visuals in a music video broadcast several times on Palestinian Authority TV.
Click to view
The turtle, symbolizing the slow progress of Palestinian statehood, is chased by the Israeli scorpion throughout the video. On its way, the turtle passes by Israel’s security fence. On the fence is a drawing of a dagger stabbing the Star of David.
The song repeatedly asks “Why should I like you?” and portrays the PA as forthcoming while Israel is “despicable,” “self-centered” and described as an oppressor who “hates the Palestinians in its heart,” “scatter[s] them around the world,“and subjects them to “beatings, oppression, detention and biting.”
The singer and composer, Ahmed Dari, who appears in the video, is an advisor to the PA and has been a member of the
Permanent Delegation of Palestine to
UNESCO, the United Nations' Educational, Social and Cultural Organization.
Tanks, falling missiles and bulldozers demolishing houses are also part of the visuals. One segment depicts an Israeli tank with a shovel rolling up a Palestinian flag. A number of Palestinian children are shown fleeing the tank, some already lying in pools of blood on the flag. The song also criticizes the US for “strengthening” Israel against the PA and “forgetting” about the Palestinians:
“You and the other one [USA] that strengthens you against me
[The USA] is proud of you
[The USA] is proud of you
It feeds and nourishes you
It takes [oil] from me and gives it to you
It takes [oil] from me and gives it to you
A second later forgets me”
A picture of shell casings and a baby bottle accompany the words “It [the US] feeds and nourishes you [Israel].” The following is the text of the song:
“[Israel] asked for [our] love
I came but it didn't come
I came but it didn't come
I stayed in my place
[Israel] made my life bitter
[Israel] made my life bitter
Why should I like you?
I don't know if I will accept you
I don't know if I will accept you
All I have isn't enough for you
Even Allah doesn't want to quiet you
Why should I like you?
Why should I like you?
Why should we love each other?
You hate me in your heart
You hate me in your heart
You scatter me all over the world
[I am] like a bird
[I am] like a bird
Beatings, oppression, detention, biting
You [Israel] are despicable and self-centered
You [Israel] are despicable and self-centered
All I have isn't enough for you
Even Allah doesn't want to quiet you
Even Allah doesn't want to quiet you
Why should I like you?
By Allah, if I fall into your hands
I'll pay you back and show you
You and the other one [USA] that strengthens you against me
You and the other one [USA] that strengthens you against me
[The USA] is proud of you
It feeds and nourishes you
It takes [oil] from me and gives it to you
A second later forgets me
A second later forgets me
Even Allah doesn't want to quiet you
Why should I like you?”
Why should I like you?”
[PA TV (Fatah), Nov 17, 21, 26 and 30, 2011]
The following articles refer to an earlier song written by Ahmed Dari. An article from Reuters, published by the independent Palestinian news agency Ma'an, refers to Dari as "an advisor to the Palestinian Authority" and mentions his career as a "diplomat":
"Dari, who has recently become an advisor to the Palestinian Authority, is bemused by the success of the [earlier] song. Created with his friend, two computers and a handful of instruments, it uses a tortoise to symbolize a slow progress towards statehood...
Dari is pursuing his career as a diplomat and singer. He is also an accomplished Arabic calligrapher. He will travel to New York this week and has already composed a new song. Its theme will be the difficult relationship between Palestinians and Israelis."
Dari is pursuing his career as a diplomat and singer. He is also an accomplished Arabic calligrapher. He will travel to New York this week and has already composed a new song. Its theme will be the difficult relationship between Palestinians and Israelis."
[Ma'an (Palestinian news agency), quoting Reuters Sept. 20, 2011,
http://maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=422029,
accessed Dec. 4, 2011]
"Ahmed Dari, artist and advisor to the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs ... worked for the Permanent Delegation of Palestine to UNESCO, and organized many artistic activities to present Arab culture in general, and Palestinian culture in particular."
[www.france24.com , March 2, 2011, accessed Dec. 4, 2011]
"The artist Ahmed Dari... works for the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is head of the Palestinian Forum for Culture and Media in France... Ahmed Dari worked for the Permanent Delegation of Palestine to UNESCO."
[www.qudsnet.com , Nov. 16, 2011, accessed Dec. 4, 2011]