Protest Art Now: Gaza and Israel Episode 1: Music
By: Alisyn Amant, Hannah Davies, and Nour Idriss
Since Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7 and Israel retaliated with an ongoing bombardment of Gaza, artists have been responding with music, theater, videos, poetry, and visual images. This podcast examines whether such artwork can shed light on the conflict and how it works or not as activism. This episode looks at some of the music videos that quickly emerged, both in support of Palestinians and in support of Israel, and consults with experts to consider how such work helps people channel their pain, express their ideologies, and seek international support. We ask: Is it art or propaganda? Do artists have a responsibility to use their platforms to speak out?
SHOW NOTES:
Music videos discussed:
- “Rajieen” (We Will Return), an international expression of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, involving some 25 musicians from the MENA region.
- A Hebrew rewriting of the “Sounds of Silence” by three Israelis protesting their own government.
- “Bring Them Home: A Broadway Prayer,” a plea to bring the Hamas-captured hostages back to Israel, based on the number from Les Miserables, performed by musical theater actors in the US.
- “Like a Prayer,” a cover of Madonna’s hit praying for return of the hostages, performed by choirs across the world, organized by Koolalum and Israeli self-described “social-musical initiative aimed at strengthening the fabric of society.”
Other music pieces mentioned:
- Israeli-American Kosha Dillz, “Ceasefire”
- The Swedish band Kofia, “Leve Palestina” (Long Live Palestine)
- Iraqi Kadim Al Saher, “Hold Your Fire”
Interviewees:
- Udi Aloni, Israeli filmmaker
- Nasir Al Bashir, a producer of “Rajieen”
- Professor Stephen Duncombe, NYU, expert in activist art
- Professor Thomas Keenan, Human Rights, Bard College
- Amr Shomali, a producer of “Rajieen”
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