Did this article address the disparity of Arabs from this country to Arabs in all other ARAB COUNTRIES??? NO,

maybe another anthem same tune , which include everyone Druze. Beduin, etc, so everyone feels belong to this country, and you can choose which one you want to sing or another verse in arabic

The Hatikvah is what it is and can never be changed Because Hatikvah represents more than just a National Anthem Its a deeply emotional expression of the pain of the Holocaust and the trauma of the Mass Expulsion of Jews from Arab Lands But it also expresses the deep pride in building a Nation State from the ashes of the Holocaust, the assimilation of millions of homeless and refugees from around the world It expresses the bravery of the IDF from the War of Independence to today It expresses our pride in Israels Democracy and multiplicity of cultures and religions It expresses our pride in Israels Economic and Scientific progress In fact I can never not feel choked up when singing it as these images and thoughts well up YET - is there not a need for a second inclusive national song - that people of all ages creeds and religions can be comfortable with..that doesn't carry the emotional baggage and is confident and happy and creates an Israeli Identity everyone can be proud of Australia does it with Waltzing Mathilda and the official National Anthem...

From your current and previous talkbacks it is obvious that you are extremely unhappy with Israel and its Jews in particular. A suggestion: Why not be a leader and write an Arab national anthem (they already have the Palestinian flag), and march ahead of them to "Palestine" ala the Pied piper of Hamlin.

Hatikvah is a great song with wonderful lyrics and outstanding music. For sure, does appeal to Jews who have been in the Diaspora for such a long time. BUT: it does not appeal to Arabs (Moslem or Christian), Druze, Hebrew Karaites and Hebrew Samaritans. I think, as previoulsy has been suggested, that you add a verse adressing other minorities (1/5 of the population) and also keep the tune and the music but have also an Arabic version of the new total piece.

There are 3 National Songs Official National Anthem: God save our gracious Queen Land of Hope and Glory Jerusalem And strangely its BECAUSE there IS a choice most people of whatever persuasion in the UK seem to be quite comfortable with them all Yes there is a need for a second Israeli National Song - Confident, Optimistic, Inclusive Lets have a National Contest to invite Israelis to vote on their choice of music (with the composer anonymous) Now wouldn't it be mind blowing if the winning composer then turned about to be a NON JEWISH Israeli?

#24 Ross, what an hateful post, a century of war with Arabs!!! disloyal, spew hated, suck up, enjoy all the benefits!!! wow, how wonderful it would be IF it was true, I afraid it is the ikes like you that spread hated. Yardena, I understand where you are coming from but even minorities are taken into consideration and I also felt by your post that you wouldn't even consider the idea to embrace all.

The history of the Jews goes back 5000 and something years - the yearning of the Jews to have a Jewish State is also from that far back - Hatikva is sung at every Jewishy function all over the world - just as the Jews all over the world know that Israel is, was and always will be their home. You live in this country - this is the anthem - the language is Hebrew ...... it can't be changed!!

The 2 concepts are different. Soviet & russian citizens enjoyed 120 nationalities. In muslim-arab countries, jewish national were stripped from their citizenship, as considered a 5th column. So should any draft dodgers in Israel.

the anthem of a country is the deep feeling of the majority, israel has a jewish majority , others have the same rights but not to change the soul of the country , if it is unbearable for anyone the door is open

Sorry I do no agree with you. Israel is Jewish State forever, and the HATIKVA is the only NATIONAL ANTHEM for ISRAEL. Can the Arabs in France or Britain ask the French and the British Government to change the national anthem ?

Did this article address the disparity of Arabs from this country to Arabs in all other ARAB COUNTRIES??? NO,

Ok Ahmed, first ask the Arab countries to change their national anthem to please the local Christians and other minorities including the Jews who been expelled penny less

It's well known in the UK but perhaps not so well known outside. The British national anthem, also used in some commonwealth countries, was adopted in the 18C. Normally only the first two verses are sung because it contains a verse likely to cause offence. Lord grant that Marshal Wade May by thy mighty aid Victory bring May he sedition hush And like a torrent rush Rebellious Scots to crush God save the Queen. The Scots aren't agitating for its removal. While they may be looking for independence it seems they want to keep lots of the British identity including the queen and the currency.

The Scots have their own currency and hate the English and the Queen! have you been to Scotland recently? I live here

You must be living in la la land,do you really think that its about the anthem,after you give into their demands on this they will find something else to complain about.STOP DEALING WITH THEM ALL TOGETHER AND THEY WILL EVENTUALLY GO AWAY,PERIOD.

Ahmed suggested to add verse addressing minorities and also an Arabic version. Brother Ahmed, first of all all the Arab world must be fair to the Jews. Why you do not suggest to all the Arab world to add version in Hebrew

The Arabs do have a point with this. When I lived in the UK I stood in silent respect when the English anthem which is used for all of Britain was sung and there are similar issues in the UK since the English anthem talks about the Scots as enemies and Scotland is still part of the UK so Scotts cannot really sing the national anthem in Britain. The Israeli Arabs like this high court judge can stand in silence which is fine they don't have to sing. There is a fundamental problem here in that the Arab minority largely seeks the destruction of the Jewish homeland and openly behaves actively as the enemy of the Jewish people so it is a complex issue. Their whole artificial narrative of 'Palestinian' identity and Nakba is the antithesis of what HaTikva is all about so we cannot expect them to sing this anthem. I fully appreciate that my Arab colleagues and friends fantasise about the dissapearence of the Jews from this land however as long as they keep this as a fantasy and do not act on this I have no problem with this as long as they pay taxes abide by law and yes they can certainly stand in silence when HaTikva is sung.

That's right! Because the Land of Israel is the Land of the Jews. So while you are welcomed to stay, get use to it. I know you are trying hard, to erode this truth, but with the help of those TRUE members of Knesset who wish to protect the Truth, they will prevail.

#16 You really have no sympathy or understanding of my posts ,being a minority does not make me less Israeli and you don't solve the issue by "packing up and leaving"!! #17, for your information the Arab-Israeli flag is blue and white and we are proud Israelis.

I know what you r saying, you say that arabs try to change your state identity, and by that change jews right for soverin state, that is one thing I meant that arabs r minority and they can not set the tone for the majourity or you will lose democracy.

a poem, the poem was written in 1878, by a guy named Naftali Hertz, and later became the Israeli anthem, it is someone's art work.

suppose to embrace all the citizens, in no place on earth there is a country that do so, otherwise the French will have to include gypsies in the anthem and the USA will have to include Latine immigrants, in their national anthem. the anthem suppose to embrace the re-creation of a nation and the spirit of masses of people, unfortunatly arabs weren't part of the re-establishing of Israel in 1948. and that is an understatment.

After all, Israel, was, is and always will be, the Jewish homeland. I am curious, however, to see what changes the arabs would want.

How do the Arabs think Jews feel in countries such as Switzerland or Greece where there is a cross on the flag or in Turkey or Tunisia where there is an Islamic Crescent on the flag? It doesn't represent them but they don't complain because they understand the principle of democracy - the MAJORITY rules. Israel is a Jewish state & the rights of all minorities are respected, unlike in most Muslim states.

Has no one thought of a very simple solution. Produce alternative words for the 3 or 4 "offending" lines, so that everyone will be able to single the National Anthem how he feels fit.

May be in few more years when the Arabs get stronger they will demand the British & the French to change their national anthem because Arabs will be more stronger.

I see your point Ahmed especially when soon we could see universal national service for all in the IDF The National Anthem would need to celebrate the commitment of the IDF in protecting and fighting for Israels freedoms, democracy and values that are common to all Israelis..'Israel OUR Country..we give you our best!' So maybe a solution lies in indeed having a separate rousing verse in the spine tingling tune of the Hatikvah which reflects the connection and pride of all Israelis to Israel Good thought Ahmed...Keep the ideas and comments flowing!

Democracy is there to protect minorities’ rights, otherwise it would not be democracy. I don’t know what the solution is, but one should be found, rather than ignoring the minority. To ignore the minority kills democracy.

Arabs here are not going to leave any time soon. They will be here forever. Why not put the past aside and build a future for all of us? If they are complaining about the anthem, we should see it as a positive sign: they want to integrate, to belong to, to build up a country with us, Jews. Let's discuss this openly. If removing two our two words from the anthem worth having the identification of 2 million people, why not? Let's work for peace, for harmony, integration. Arab-Israelis are Israelis. Their character, their ethos, their mentality has nothing to do with Palestinians or Arabs in general. They became part of our country and as such they should be listened and respected. We need them. They bring color and taste to our marvelous country. Let's act as a great, generous and helpful people That's why Jews are different... We are a special people because we understand the suffering of others... And G-D is watching that.