Singing with the enemy
Until now they fought us with explosive belts, but as of 2008 PA will also be competing against us at Eurovision Song Contest
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is taking another turn. After years of bloody conflict, abductions and Kassam rocket fire – the Palestinians are about to fight us with a completely different weapon: A microphone, choreography and sequined costumes. Those who didn't want the Palestinian Authority in Jerusalem will get it next year at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Israel has been taking part in the Eurovision song contest since 1973. For years, Israeli singers got the opportunity to appear before the world and even won the contest three times. At the same time, Arab singers who dreamed of an international career were not permitted to take part in the popular contest.
Changing times
As of 2008, a singer or a group from the Palestinian Authority is expected to appear on the Eurovision stage as an official representative of the Palestinians.
In order to appear in the Eurovision contest, the Palestinian Authority's broadcasting authority will have to be accepted by the European broadcasting association organizing the event. A Danish company will assist the Palestinians in establishing the broadcasting infrastructure that will enable it to meet European standards. The Danes will also assist the elected Palestinian representative in preparing for the competition.
An agreement of cooperation was signed several days ago between an Authority representative, Palestinian composer and musician Said Morad and the Danish embassy in Ramallah. Said Morad confirmed the report Saturday saying an agreement had indeed been signed and that the Authority has began preparing for the contest in 2008.
Said Morad and his brother Visam, members of the Sabrin group are considered the main contenders for the Eurovision contest. The brothers who live in Ramallah and East Jerusalem are well known throughout the Territories and are also known internationally. Their lyrics often carry political messages.
The Morad bothers even collaborated musically with Israeli musician David Broza: Broza wrote a song with Said called "In my heart," and he sang it with Visam in Hebrew and Arabic during a soccer game organized by the Peres Peace Center in Spain in 2005.
The song was played simultaneously on IDF Army Radio and on Palestinian radio. In recent years Palestinian music is gaining unprecedented popularity. Several singers were even awarded prestigious prizes in popular contests throughout the Arab world.
