Raviv Kaner Releases Emotional Tribute Song for Slain Druze Children | WATCH
“A song of unity, memory, and love for the land.” Israeli singers Raviv Kaner and Eitan Peled release emotional tribute song honoring 12 Druze children killed by Hezbollah rocket, featuring Hebrew-Arabic lyrics and local choir.
Israeli singer Raviv Kaner has released a new single today, a heartfelt tribute to the 12 Druze children killed last summer when a Hezbollah rocket struck a soccer field in the village of Majdal Shams. The tragic incident left a deep mark on the nation, and now inspires a moving musical memorial.
The song, created in collaboration with singer-songwriter Eitan Peled, aims not only to honor the memory of the young victims but also to raise awareness of the Druze community and its vital contribution to Israeli society. Peled, who learned Arabic after his military service in Unit 8200, lived for a year in the Druze village of Julis, where he taught at a pre-military leadership academy for both Jewish and Druze youth.
Kaner described the project as a “symbol of brotherhood and unity,” adding:
“This song is a doorway into the Druze world: a world built on goodness, love for the homeland, and love for the land. I wanted to create something entirely dedicated to the community, to the memory of the children, and to strengthening national awareness of the Druze and their role in our country.”
Peled shared the personal weight the project carried for him, especially in light of recent events:
“On October 7, I found out that one of my students from the academy was murdered at the Nova music festival. My heart shattered. I spent the rest of the war in reserve duty, serving shoulder to shoulder with my Druze brothers. I waited for the right moment to transform that pain into song.”
The resulting track is a poignant dialogue between a child and his mother, incorporating both Hebrew and Arabic. Inspired by the Druze belief in the transmigration of souls, the chorus, sung by a Druze children’s choir in Arabic, reads: “Don’t cry, mother, I’ll be back soon with the birds of paradise.”
To record the song and video, Kaner and Peled spent two emotional days in northern Druze villages, including Majdal Shams, Daliyat al-Karmel, and the tomb of the Prophet Jethro, where they forged meaningful connections with local residents and communities.
This project serves not only as a touching memorial but also as a powerful reminder of the shared values and mutual respect that unite diverse communities in Israel.