Should “Hatikvah” then be abandoned for another anthem, or sung to the same melody with new words? I don’t think so. There’s no point in accommodating the feelings of Arabs by trampling on the feelings of Jews. You can change anything you want. They will still hate us because we are Jews. This has been going on for a bit longer than the adoption of Hatikvah, in case you haven't noticed. One of the reasons that so many hate Israel is that the Jewish people are finally able to defend themselves. That is intolerable for them.

You go to the army or civil service, you stop violence and make your Parliament members stop hate talking and then we might consider to mention you in the anthem of the JEWISH STATE!

no boundaries only because we let it happen. We have been living in a state of schizzophrenic guilt ever since Israel's inception. Time to end it. Draw the line in the Middle Eastern sand and proudly sing Hatikva.

Born in Baghdad and dispossessed after living there for 2600 years I first came to Israel as a volunteer in 67 with stateless papers. Now living in the country of my forefathers, the ever troublesome rabble are trying to dispossess me again. Never again, and to hell with politically correct. This is my land, This is my Anthem for the eternal home of All Jews

I understand Mali is very nice this time of year...

I repeat... can not! make changes in the state symbols or constitution to suit their needs, if minority makes the rulles it will be no longer democracy.

Yes, that is what it is all about- the return of Jews home to Israel. What is better is that today, it is the reality.

#1 Yardena, "trampling on the feelings of Jews, Arabs hate the Jews" did you read the article or just jump on the band wagon??a national anthem is suppose to embrace all citizens no matter the creed or color its called democracy, and as far as Israeli-Arabs are concern, they don't hate the Jews they just want an even playing field. Is that to much to ask for?? oh and by the way please don't reply saying we should move to one of the 22 countries, because we are not going anywhere ,like you this is our home.

Hatikva is about those JEWS who left Eretz Yisrael and went to exile after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and hoped to one day return to their Jewish homeland and hope for those JEWS who remained in Eretz Yisrael to live in a country without enemies.

Thérèse are crosses on many flagseven of European country nobody is asking to change ,the queen of England is the head of Anglican religion etc,stop destroying the Jewish state,and nobody is obliged to stay in Israel

I can understand why Israeli Arabs would not identify with Hatikva. So instead of changing the anthem why not add a second song? Their is no rule to say you cannot have two songs right? It can even be a national contest. The one restriction I would add is keep the tune the same. That way when it is played at sports events and the like both sides can think of the lyrics which identify with them the most.

the Italian anthem praises the victory of Italy over Austria, how does that make the huge Austrian minority group that lives under Italian control in the dolomites mountains, or should i say, the occupied dolomites mountains? Did any one ever suggested Italy to change anthem, let alone to withdraw for the areas it had occupied? why is the double standard? Israel is the Jewish home land, the land of the Jewish people,. Minority groups exist nearly in any national country, yet the national anthem represent the nationality of the country.

Hatikvah has NOTHING to do with Arabs! It's about hope for Jews to be able to return to Isreal after they (we) were exiled by the Romans. It's really difficult to have any faith in Arabs living in Isreal because everyday they find something to complain about and try to make our Jewish state less Jewish.

I can understand Elsie's feeling uncomfortable with Jewish symbols. However in the same way as the Jews in Switzerland , Britain and every other country with a cross on it's flag have no problem identifying with their country Elsie, should do the same. I have plenty of sympathy with people who do not like being a minority. and drew the necessary conclusion , Just pack up and change country.

For your information, the Israeli Arabs already have a flag, the Palestinian one, which they don't hesitate to raise on every occasion. If they now want to change the Israeli national anthem, let them sing their own Baladi. In any event they don't honor Hatikva.

Obviously a NATIONAL anthem should reflect the NATION, which means ALL its citizens. It wouldn't be too difficult to make some minor revisions to the words to satisfy everyone. And guess what - Hatikva doesn't reflect national aspirations of half of the Jews here either - it's an Ashenazi anthem referring to going "east to Zion". A little understanding and less xenophobia would be welcome.

They should be singing: "Glory to Naqba - our soul yearns; Return to Mecca - our homeland!"

resent having to sing the national anthem of Israel, might be better off learning "The Royal Anthem of Jordan" where they can go and proudly sing it to the Hashemite king.

In France, UK, USA, & all over the world, there are Arabs living there. Why the hell they dont say to Britiain that to or France or USA, to change the national anthem to make the Arabs happy. ISRAEL should tell the Arabs to HELL with you, if you dont like the Hatikva, you are most welcome to PISS OFF to and Arab country of his/her choice

decide national policy. If the issue of "Hatikva" is so pressing, let Israeli Arabs put together a petition and bring at least a million signatures from ALL sectors of the population demanding change. Then it can be put to a referendum, the way normal democracies do it.

an anthem which clearly does not represent their ancestry. And similarly Aboriginal Australians have no problem singing Advance Australia Fair, and British Jews, Welshmen, Scotsmen and Celts-descendants have no problem singing God Save the Queen. So clearly not every minority has to be represented in a national anthem. And while I feel for the Arab Israelis who cannot sing "the soul of a Jew yearns", they should blame their situation on their own ancestors for waging war against the Jewish state rather than accepting the Partition Plan. Or better yet, they can relinquish their Israeli passport, have their towns annexed to the future Palestine, and sing the Palestinian national anthem together with their Palestinian brothers.

I am not Jewish, I am not Arab- but I am Israeli- and I would like to sing the national hymn too- but "Hatikva", although a nice song, is not including me. I can completely understand the Arabs. If we want a future, we need to have same rights, same treatment, same rules for anyone!

I'm an Israeli, far from being a rightist. I have to say that the Arabs are right about this one. I can certainly understand their feelings and think that a change is overdue.

Excellent comments, each with a different focal point, but none the less to the point. We have had a century of war and aggression from the Arabs. They have lost all of the wars, but their friends in Europe and Russia keep rearming them. Jews keep dying to keep Israel free and democratic. Israel is a Jewish country. The Arab population enjoys all of the benefits of living in a Jewish country. They are disloyal and contribute nothing to the betterment of the country. It's not just a matter of not serving in the army, or doing some kind of government service. It is a matter of sucking up all of the benefits the country can provide and at the same time spewing their hatred of the Jews and the Jewish State. If they don't like Israel and show no loyalty to the state, they should pack their bags and move to the nearest Arab country so they can truly feel comfortable, secure in the knowledge that the Muslim group in power will protect their rights, and provide them a good life.

Let them go and live happily with their brothers in anyone of their 22 states. Let them sing the national anthems of those countries. Let them feel that they belong there, with their brothers and sisters. That is out, out, out...

They also want control of Israel and all Jews gone. This is our county, it is our national anthem and it is Jewish! Being politically correct does not make things right. Arabs are treated better here than any "Arab" country. Stop whinging or get out!

I am right-wing, voted for Naphtali Bennett, and support settlement in Judea and Samaria, the heartland of the Jewish people. HOWEVER, I don't see a problem with creating two lyrics to the same song that way the Arab, Druze, Circassian, and other minorities to feel connected with this country as well. I think politicians like Moshe Arens would also agree. We need to reach out to our Arab minority Israeli citizens in order for us together to build this great Jewish state! Make them feel proud to be a part of building a Jewish state. Both sides can reach out to each other.

Why should Israel should add another song to please the Arab. I want to ask you serious question Mr David. Would the Arabs add up another song to please the local Jews in any Arab Country ? Please answer David. Thank you