Keep singing, saying, & shouting "Fuck Israel! Free Palestine!" for as long as you have a breath in your body. The oppressed peoples of the world need all the attention our words & art can give them.
I thought you might like this interview with an inspiring Palestinian musician El Far3i. He acknowledges those who speak out for Palestine by posing himself the question: if Palestine were free, would I risk losing all my summer tour dates by speaking up for Congo?
Thanks for the link! I like their music. And it's a good question to ask--why are artists losing their tour dates simply for speaking out for the oppressed?
No problem TRC 👍🏼 And I suspect you know the answer to that question.
Genocide-supporting acts should be actively called out and boycotted - the cultural aspect of the BDS movement. What would be handy is a version of the Boycat app that tells you which artists, creatives or (god-forbid) “celebrities” and influencers are on the right side of history.
That would be helpful. A friend posted a list of "Israel supporting" musicians/groups on his Facebook page and got lots of blowback by commenters who insisted that certain musicians could not possibly be pro-Zionist/pro-genocide. He insisted his list was correct. I'm not sure where he got his list of names from, but he's quite knowledgeable about music (is a DJ) and is of Palestinian heritage, so I trust that it was accurate.
A list of who has actively spoken out in support of Palestine would be useful. If you have a platform you're not using - Silence is Complicity. I get it why folk who need to earn a living would be scared to rock the boat, same as any industry, but the big names who have already made their fortunes…. Shame on all of them.
Thanks, Dx. The Eurovision Song contest sounds fun. But why on earth would they ever let "non-European-we're-completely-Semitic-no-really!" Israel be in the contest to begin with?
There was an awful lot of fuss about their entry last year (they still got to participate after changing their lyrics slightly), but so far it's been pretty quiet. Granted following news about Eurovision isn't top of my priorities.
It's a pretty big deal for some folk in the UK, with listening parties and the like. It got a reputation for being so bad it's good. (I'm a music-lover so just think it's bad!)
That other well-known European country Australia also competes.
I've just realised this alternative is being held again this year
It's the second year I think. A local musician (JC Bigfoot) got to the final last year. Voting in the semi-final round has just ended but I believe anyone can vote in the final - 17th May.
And perhaps you could enter next year?! With all your subscribers on backing vocals to make sure everyone hears the chorus:
Such a sad song, how can I sway your heart to see the wrong?
You echo Caitlin’s vulgar slogan, a slogan not aimed at the source of evil, but at a fabricated regime of evil henchmen doing the empire’s bidding.
You sing your chant believing you’re striking a blow against an evil state, but in reality, you’re punching sideways. Not at the evil empire, not at the evil machine, your punching at its evil proxy.
Think: was this regime not forged by imperial design? Has it not been armed, shielded, and protected by Western power? It is no rogue actor, it acts on behalf of the empire, the military-industrial complex.
Your song names no gangster corporations who profit and employ the empire’s citizens. No bankers who launder the blood money. None of the vassal states complicit through silence and inaction. It ignores the hypocrisy of same vassal states who are so eager to escalate war with Russia, even at the cost of their own demise. How many are dead in Ukraine now? Did we stop counting after six digits?
If the song makes you feel good, sing it, but don’t mistake this chant for resistance. It’s a distraction and the Empire thanks you for the cover.
As for the genocidal maniacs in the Israeli regime, do you think they give a fuck about your song? They’re singing their own. You know the one, the one about the chosen ones, who can do no wrong.
The song isn't written for genocidal maniacs--it's for those who are protesting against the genocide. And it's not a doctoral thesis. Study poetry and song lyrics. They say a lot in very few words and speak directly to the heart. You have to have the heart of a protester to understand a protest song perhaps.
I’m so glad I inhaled your great article after I read Senator Adam Schiff’s letter responding to my letter demanding that Israel cease their blockade of aid to Gaza. He is a staunch Zionist who was recruited by AIPAC many years ago to run for a congressional seat and now he’s a Senator. I don’t mean to upset your stomach, but his verbiage is full of lies:
“The terrorist attack that Hamas perpetrated against Israel on October 7 claimed the lives of over 1,200 people. Hamas raped, tortured, and murdered civilians, and took hundreds of hostages. Israel has a right and duty to defend itself, and the United States has a duty to defend its vital ally, in the aftermath of this horrific act. Hamas has embedded its terrorist and military installations within Gaza’s civilian population, greatly complicating Israel’s military response and dramatically increasing the suffering of innocent Palestinians.We must also remain vigilant due to the potential for further threats to the region, especially from Iran and its numerous proxies.
The United States must continue to support Israel in its efforts to protect its citizens and recover all the hostages. It is intolerable that so many hostages remain in the custody of Hamas and other terrorist groups and every effort must be made to bring them home ASAP.”
In years past, I was a bit skeptical of that biblical saying “Money is the root of all evil.” I’ve certainly come to think that AIPAC $ is the root of much evil.
You are such a dedicated humanist, activist, and writer. We are fortunate to have you on planet Earth.
Thank you for your kind words, Chris. The scripture passage actually says "For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil." If you substitute "power" for money or "hegemony" for money or "war" or "oil" or "land" or "rare earths" etc., you can see how true that statement is. Once a person or a nation or a group of nations puts something above the love of their fellow human beings, then things are going to go downhill and fast.
AIPAC acts like the grease on the wheels of destruction, and most politicians in the US have gladly sold themselves out to it without a moment's hesitation. I know how awful those replies you get from your elected officials are--I've stopped reading their emails or reply letters. It's always "Israel is our great ally in the Middle East" and "Hamas is the devil" and other such nonsense. I don't waste time on them anymore. I will stand in solidarity with the oppressed and bring attention to their plight directly to the people... It's all who matter in the end anyway.
She's terrific! I've talked before city council before and I know just how terrifying it can be... They'll ignore you for the most part or just stare at you, bored and uncaring, and then they'll tell you your time is up and won't let you finish your sentence. It takes guts just to go in front of these trolls let alone sing to them.
Great lyrics, and I believe gypsy33 was referring to me. Yes I'd be privileged to take a crack at putting music and a melody to your lyrics ( I think your verse melodies can work, but you may need to differentiate the chorus melody, make it a little different -- tougher, more raw). How about I start small with just an idea for the choruses -- piano and my croaky voice probably an octave below yours, which has a nice quality, by the way. So to start, a barebones mp3 that I'd maybe post on my substack as a draft, send you a link. I could suspend some other work and take a crack today, 5-6, perhaps after I run some errands. Ultimately, if you like the idea, I can go further. Will try to stay close to your melodies, but may need to alter the key slightly, at least temporarily Let me know. Vin L
Thanks for your help, Vin. I wish I could write down the music in my head. I took years of piano lessons, but it didn't stick when it comes to actually writing musical notation. Let me know what you come up with... Would love to be able to put together a band of sorts and record it properly so we could get it out there to the public and send a strong message to the powers-that-be that we want this genocide in Gaza to end TODAY. #FreePalestine
Apparently substsck will let you see a draft page where the audio file lives! Forgive my croaking excuse for a voice. In general the keyboards are more or less playing the melodies so it's kind of easy to ignore my vocals. I try hard. It's in F Major, which sounded close to what I heard you singing it in, but the key can obviously be changed.
Cindy, that rocked me to my core! I wanna see that on the Top Ten 😁
Your talents are many, my friend; writing and music, and probably others as well.
I know just the person who just might be able to assist you with the background music…a musician of over-the-top ability. You’ll be familiar with his name. Gonna forward this to him.
Thank you for your kind words, Beth. Wouldn't it be great if ANY and ALL pro-Palestine protest song(s) made the Top Ten? We need to get the word out to the world that we're not shutting up until they shut down the genocide (and make restitution for their war crimes) in Gaza. #FreePalestine
Thanks! My current earworm as I type is 'I Have a Voice'. Funny I should read your comment as that song is playing in my head. We're singing it in a choir I sing in -- pretty cool song, eh? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yU1x-p_OdY
Nice song! (I hate to say this, but a friend of mine who is a DJ and musicologist and hosts a radio show on our local community radio station put up a list online recently of "Zionist performers" who have endorsed Israel since the start of the genocide in Gaza and Alicia Keys was on the list. Disappointing, to be sure.)
I thought you might like this interview with an inspiring Palestinian musician El Far3i. He acknowledges those who speak out for Palestine by posing himself the question: if Palestine were free, would I risk losing all my summer tour dates by speaking up for Congo?
https://youtu.be/NSSO9Qvfivg?feature=shared
Thanks for the link! I like their music. And it's a good question to ask--why are artists losing their tour dates simply for speaking out for the oppressed?
No problem TRC 👍🏼 And I suspect you know the answer to that question.
Genocide-supporting acts should be actively called out and boycotted - the cultural aspect of the BDS movement. What would be handy is a version of the Boycat app that tells you which artists, creatives or (god-forbid) “celebrities” and influencers are on the right side of history.
❤️🕊️,Dx
That would be helpful. A friend posted a list of "Israel supporting" musicians/groups on his Facebook page and got lots of blowback by commenters who insisted that certain musicians could not possibly be pro-Zionist/pro-genocide. He insisted his list was correct. I'm not sure where he got his list of names from, but he's quite knowledgeable about music (is a DJ) and is of Palestinian heritage, so I trust that it was accurate.
A list of who has actively spoken out in support of Palestine would be useful. If you have a platform you're not using - Silence is Complicity. I get it why folk who need to earn a living would be scared to rock the boat, same as any industry, but the big names who have already made their fortunes…. Shame on all of them.
Thumbs up, Cindy! This deserves attention!!!
Thank you, Diane. I hope it can wake up a few folks who need it. ;-)
Fantastic TRC! If only the US could enter the Eurovision Song Contest.
Unfortunately they're letting the genociders compete again this year https://eurovision.tv/participant/yuval-raphael-2025
Fuck Israel! Free Palestine!
Thanks, Dx. The Eurovision Song contest sounds fun. But why on earth would they ever let "non-European-we're-completely-Semitic-no-really!" Israel be in the contest to begin with?
There was an awful lot of fuss about their entry last year (they still got to participate after changing their lyrics slightly), but so far it's been pretty quiet. Granted following news about Eurovision isn't top of my priorities.
It's a pretty big deal for some folk in the UK, with listening parties and the like. It got a reputation for being so bad it's good. (I'm a music-lover so just think it's bad!)
That other well-known European country Australia also competes.
I've just realised this alternative is being held again this year
https://falastinvision.com/
I love it--a genocide-free song contest! We need more events like this, emphasizing that the world should be genocide-free. #FreePalestine
https://falastinvision.com/
It's the second year I think. A local musician (JC Bigfoot) got to the final last year. Voting in the semi-final round has just ended but I believe anyone can vote in the final - 17th May.
And perhaps you could enter next year?! With all your subscribers on backing vocals to make sure everyone hears the chorus:
Fuck Israel! Free Palestine! 🇵🇸
Such a sad song, how can I sway your heart to see the wrong?
You echo Caitlin’s vulgar slogan, a slogan not aimed at the source of evil, but at a fabricated regime of evil henchmen doing the empire’s bidding.
You sing your chant believing you’re striking a blow against an evil state, but in reality, you’re punching sideways. Not at the evil empire, not at the evil machine, your punching at its evil proxy.
Think: was this regime not forged by imperial design? Has it not been armed, shielded, and protected by Western power? It is no rogue actor, it acts on behalf of the empire, the military-industrial complex.
Your song names no gangster corporations who profit and employ the empire’s citizens. No bankers who launder the blood money. None of the vassal states complicit through silence and inaction. It ignores the hypocrisy of same vassal states who are so eager to escalate war with Russia, even at the cost of their own demise. How many are dead in Ukraine now? Did we stop counting after six digits?
If the song makes you feel good, sing it, but don’t mistake this chant for resistance. It’s a distraction and the Empire thanks you for the cover.
As for the genocidal maniacs in the Israeli regime, do you think they give a fuck about your song? They’re singing their own. You know the one, the one about the chosen ones, who can do no wrong.
The song isn't written for genocidal maniacs--it's for those who are protesting against the genocide. And it's not a doctoral thesis. Study poetry and song lyrics. They say a lot in very few words and speak directly to the heart. You have to have the heart of a protester to understand a protest song perhaps.
Appreciate your time,
your voice, your reply
this is mine.
They say I don’t understand
what “Fuck Israel” means.
They say I missed Caitlin’s post,
that I misread her scream.
They say I don't get free speech
when she slams Trump's crowd.
Maybe I hear it differently and all too loud.
What if we add few lines, maybe like this:
Fuck America,
Fuck the UK,
Fuck Canada, Fuck Australia
and France Fuck you too!
Fuck Trump, Benjamin.
Fuck Putin and Zelesky
and Boris, Fuck you too
Maybe I’m just too old, your lyrics are too bold
I remember a protest song, I pray I don`t get it wrong
We gotta say
I Ain't gonna play sun city
Oh, no, no, no
I ain't gonna play sun city
Everybody say
I, Ain't gonna play sun city
No, no, baby
Well, thanks again for engaging,
Trust my view is not enraging,
Perhaps we share the same goal,
But some paths extract too great a toll
I can`t join Caitlyn`s legion,
I`ve already lot my religion,
I`m afraid of what I see, of what might be,
afraid of losing my humanity.
Se we each follow our heart ,
Thus from here we travel apart,
I `ll follow the lonely bend,
Perhaps our paths will meet up in the end
I don't think you understand the purpose of a protest song. There's a clue in the article.
There's a lady we know,
certain that all she writes,
is inscrutably moral and true
When she post here, she knows
that all the other stores are all closed
So with a post, she can get what she came for.
Ooh, and she's building a stairway for followers
There's a sign on the wall, but he wants to be sure
'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings
In a post by the brook, there's a songbird who sings
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgivings
Oh damn! Thank you so much for that!
You're welcome, Longtrail!
I’m so glad I inhaled your great article after I read Senator Adam Schiff’s letter responding to my letter demanding that Israel cease their blockade of aid to Gaza. He is a staunch Zionist who was recruited by AIPAC many years ago to run for a congressional seat and now he’s a Senator. I don’t mean to upset your stomach, but his verbiage is full of lies:
“The terrorist attack that Hamas perpetrated against Israel on October 7 claimed the lives of over 1,200 people. Hamas raped, tortured, and murdered civilians, and took hundreds of hostages. Israel has a right and duty to defend itself, and the United States has a duty to defend its vital ally, in the aftermath of this horrific act. Hamas has embedded its terrorist and military installations within Gaza’s civilian population, greatly complicating Israel’s military response and dramatically increasing the suffering of innocent Palestinians.We must also remain vigilant due to the potential for further threats to the region, especially from Iran and its numerous proxies.
The United States must continue to support Israel in its efforts to protect its citizens and recover all the hostages. It is intolerable that so many hostages remain in the custody of Hamas and other terrorist groups and every effort must be made to bring them home ASAP.”
In years past, I was a bit skeptical of that biblical saying “Money is the root of all evil.” I’ve certainly come to think that AIPAC $ is the root of much evil.
You are such a dedicated humanist, activist, and writer. We are fortunate to have you on planet Earth.
Thank you for your kind words, Chris. The scripture passage actually says "For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil." If you substitute "power" for money or "hegemony" for money or "war" or "oil" or "land" or "rare earths" etc., you can see how true that statement is. Once a person or a nation or a group of nations puts something above the love of their fellow human beings, then things are going to go downhill and fast.
AIPAC acts like the grease on the wheels of destruction, and most politicians in the US have gladly sold themselves out to it without a moment's hesitation. I know how awful those replies you get from your elected officials are--I've stopped reading their emails or reply letters. It's always "Israel is our great ally in the Middle East" and "Hamas is the devil" and other such nonsense. I don't waste time on them anymore. I will stand in solidarity with the oppressed and bring attention to their plight directly to the people... It's all who matter in the end anyway.
You might have seen this, but I thought of your creative efforts when I viewed this video of this brave young lady performing before her city council:
https://t.co/j1778tILZZ
She's terrific! I've talked before city council before and I know just how terrifying it can be... They'll ignore you for the most part or just stare at you, bored and uncaring, and then they'll tell you your time is up and won't let you finish your sentence. It takes guts just to go in front of these trolls let alone sing to them.
My knowledge of both the Bible and music is practically nil, so I can be of no help in those areas!
Take care.
A great song and a great cause!
Thank you kindly! #freepalestine
Never ever gonna stop shouting Fuck Israel! Free Palestine!
That's the spirit!! #freepalestine
Great lyrics, and I believe gypsy33 was referring to me. Yes I'd be privileged to take a crack at putting music and a melody to your lyrics ( I think your verse melodies can work, but you may need to differentiate the chorus melody, make it a little different -- tougher, more raw). How about I start small with just an idea for the choruses -- piano and my croaky voice probably an octave below yours, which has a nice quality, by the way. So to start, a barebones mp3 that I'd maybe post on my substack as a draft, send you a link. I could suspend some other work and take a crack today, 5-6, perhaps after I run some errands. Ultimately, if you like the idea, I can go further. Will try to stay close to your melodies, but may need to alter the key slightly, at least temporarily Let me know. Vin L
Thanks for your help, Vin. I wish I could write down the music in my head. I took years of piano lessons, but it didn't stick when it comes to actually writing musical notation. Let me know what you come up with... Would love to be able to put together a band of sorts and record it properly so we could get it out there to the public and send a strong message to the powers-that-be that we want this genocide in Gaza to end TODAY. #FreePalestine
https://vinlopresti.substack.com/publish/post/163003656
Apparently substsck will let you see a draft page where the audio file lives! Forgive my croaking excuse for a voice. In general the keyboards are more or less playing the melodies so it's kind of easy to ignore my vocals. I try hard. It's in F Major, which sounded close to what I heard you singing it in, but the key can obviously be changed.
I'm not seeing the page, Vin. It says it's not loading properly.
Hi Cindy. I have a sample for you that I just put together past few hrs. Just emailing it to gyp. How can I get it to you?
Can you send me a DM here on Substack? I'll send you my email that way.
Cindy, that rocked me to my core! I wanna see that on the Top Ten 😁
Your talents are many, my friend; writing and music, and probably others as well.
I know just the person who just might be able to assist you with the background music…a musician of over-the-top ability. You’ll be familiar with his name. Gonna forward this to him.
And Cindy…all my heartfelt gratitude to you.
Thank you for your kind words, Beth. Wouldn't it be great if ANY and ALL pro-Palestine protest song(s) made the Top Ten? We need to get the word out to the world that we're not shutting up until they shut down the genocide (and make restitution for their war crimes) in Gaza. #FreePalestine
Wonderful! Thanks for your creative voice addressing this horrible injustice.
You're welcome. We all need to raise our voices together like you do, Diana! #freepalestine
Thanks! My current earworm as I type is 'I Have a Voice'. Funny I should read your comment as that song is playing in my head. We're singing it in a choir I sing in -- pretty cool song, eh? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yU1x-p_OdY
I'll be working my way through the entries to this later -> https://falastinvision.com
I suspect I'll pick up an ear-worm or two.
Fuck Israel! Free Palestine!
Nice song! (I hate to say this, but a friend of mine who is a DJ and musicologist and hosts a radio show on our local community radio station put up a list online recently of "Zionist performers" who have endorsed Israel since the start of the genocide in Gaza and Alicia Keys was on the list. Disappointing, to be sure.)
Aw, shit! I wonder what she takes to the streets about...