Jerusalem U Presents History of Israel’s National Anthem: Does HaTikvah Mean Hope for All?
On this week’s History of Israel Explained, we’re looking at one of the most Israeli things out there – HaTikvah, or The Hope – Israel’s stirring, meaningful and, some might say, controversial national anthem.
Unlike other anthems that speak of triumph and victory, the Israeli anthem is a mash up between a Romanian folk-melody, a 16th-century Italian song, and the lyrical thoughts of a drunk romantic poet. Not exactly the stuff of nationalistic dreams, but like the State of Israel itself, Hatikvah is both a symbol of Jewish hope and identity and the anthem for a multicultural and multi-ethnic state dedicated to equality.
Whew, that’s a lot of pressure for a two-verse song. So what exactly is so controversial about this hopeful song and why do some Israelis refuse to stand up when it’s played (which can be a controversy all of its own)? Let us know what you think about Hatikvah, the role of anthems in general or any of the other topics we’ve discussed on History of Israel Explained.
