Is This Song Racist or Reality?

Amir Benayoun is a popular Mizrachi Israeli singer/composer with a small problem. He's not left-wing, and sometimes his songs are political commentary -- and not from a left-wing perspective.

This past week he released a song called "Ahmed Loves Israel" (song and translated lyrics below)

In particular, it reminds the listeners that the Arab terrorists in Har Nof Massacre, in the Merkaz HaRav Massacre, in the Rechavam Ze'evi assassination, in the Yehuda Glick assassination attempt, and in many of the other terror attacks worked near the places where they committed their terror attacks, and they seemed normal, until they weren't. It was those massacres he was thinking of when he wrote the song.

The song is not politically correct. But it does encapsulate some of the fears that many Israelis feel right now towards their Arab neighbors, some of whom are currently rioting, shooting fireworks at police, stoning buses and trains, stabbing Jews in Jerusalem, and running over people over with their cars and bulldozers.

What he sang may not be nice to say out loud, but it does represent a part of the reality that Israel has been living with.

Following the outrage led by Israel's left and President Ruby Rivlin's boycott, Benayoun composed the following song, "Enemy of the State", in response to the attempts to vilify and boycott him and paint him as the bad guy:

Here are the translated lyrics:

You are allowed to go up on the roof and shoot with joy You are allowed as an elected official to even show support You are allowed to shout 'Death to the Jews' And a small guy like me is not allowed to sing songs  

You are allowed to wave the flag of a terrorist state Nowadays its even in fashion if you are a little enlightened In the name of God, you are allowed to shed blood And I the smallest of people am forbidden to say a few words   If the killer has become the victim And I have became the despicable murderer I do not have much left to say I live in a scary and insane world  

You are allowed to run over a police officer, after all he is the devil And anyone who does not think like you he is just a little infidel You are allowed to crush with your tractor a hapless Jew And me a fool like me is -censored-  

If the killer has become the victim And I have became the despicable murderer I do not have much left to say In a world that is so despicable and insane  

If rejoicing in the death of Jewish children - is no problem I have nothing to look for I'm going to be hospitalized by force  

You are allowed to run over a police officer, he is the devil Anyone who does not think like you - is like a little heretic You are allowed to shout 'Death to the Jews'

But a small guy like me is forbidden to sing songs An idiot like me is forbidden to sing songs

But you deserve to be able to judge for yourselves. Here is the song that set off the fireworks (well the fireworks were already set off, and so was the rage, but you get the point):

Salam Alekum my name is Ahmed I live in Jerusalem, I study at the university a thing or two Who like me enjoys the best of both worlds I am today moderate and smiling Tomorrow I will fly to the sky Send to hell a Jew or two

It is true that I am just an ungrateful creep It is true but I am not blame I did not grow up on love It is true there will come the moment when you will turn to me your back and then I'll stick with you the sharpened ax

I Ahmed live in the central region I work near the kindergarten And responsible - for the gas cylinders Who like me enjoys the best of both worlds Today I am And tomorrow they are not Many of them, a lot of them not

It is true that I am just an ungrateful creep It is true but I am not to blame me as I did not grow up on love It is true there will come the moment when you will turn to me your back and then I'll shoot you straight in the back

The following is a song he wrote in response to the Har Nof Massacre: