Released in 2002, during the Second Intifada, this song by Israeli rapper Ya’akov “Kobi” Shimoni (known by his stage name Subliminal) reveals a frustration with the cycle of violence and a strong commitment to Zionism and the land and State of Israel in the face of terror and war. The chorus, sung in Arabic and aimed at Arabs, references the official anthem of the Palestinian Authority and asserts that “This is my land, this is my country.” An English translation of the lyrics can be seen onscreen and below.
Biladi
mother Earth
everything that was mine is not mine
even my country turned into my danger
a punching bag for international exits
that will determine for me whether to be or not.
We don’t raise our head, we take punches
(with) eyes closed.
Screaming: live and let live
this is not my nation,
wanna-bes and illusions
wanna-bes, I can’t be in the mud
but we’re here and we’ll never go away from here,
the Zionism is in the Jewish blood,
that respects Islam
and also Christianity and Buddhism
and everyone else too
my throat is satisfied,I’m not thirsty for blood,
understand blood spills blood,
and one spills blood
and then in comes his uncle
and his blood is also spilled
waste of time, he doesn’t get up, he won’t wake up,
father won’t put the kids to sleep no more.