DAM, "Born Here", Hebrew/Arabic with English subtitles

Palestinian rap group DAM (Da Arab MC's, or "forever" in Arabic) created this music video about the life of Palestinians in Israel. They're from Lod, a town between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, so they're Palestinians with Israeli citizenship (often called "Israeli Arabs"). They usually rap in Arabic, but they made a Hebrew version of this song with a music video to get their message out to the majority of Israelis who don't speak Arabic.

You find out more about them at http://www.dampalestine.com/main.html .

I've always wanted a subtitled version, so I broke down and adapted the lyrics from their website, to create this. I think this is one of the most powerful rap songs out there.

See http://moomtastic.com/born-here.html to see my extended comments on the video and its chorus.

By the way, a lot of people are confused about what DAM stands for, but it really is "forever" or "eternity". See the interview at http://www.democracynow.org/2008/5/15..., where you'll find this:

TAMER NAFAR: Ill just correct you. Actually, dam is eternity in Arabic and blood in Hebrew. So its eternal blood, like we will stay here forever.

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[Michael Munther]

Bottom line guys, the United States is afraid to criticize Israel; therefore, the atrocities continue to happen to the Palestinian people.

[opiegonebad]

Yes, but to that I'd add that Europe has it within her power to stop the atrocities as well. Europe is Israel's main trading partner; if European foreign policy weren't so flaccid, it could have a great deal of impact. Those committing the atrocities are scared sh*tless of European economic moves that mean somthing. The cold war is over. It's time for Europe to man up, stop making excuses, and stand up for her professed beliefs with a foreign policy that has teeth.

[FMJ IRISH]

Resistance in Europe is building, but it is the US that ultimately holds it back from succeeding. Everyone dislikes what the Israeli government does, but no one wants to piss off the American government.

[opiegonebad]

Agreed, but when is Europe going to stop being afraid of its own shadow, grow a pair, and start applying economic pressure against Israel? Europe is Israel's biggest trading partner, and Israel steps all over Europe, flaunting, for example, the EU customs requirements around settlement-produced goods.

IMHO a big factor in Europe's flaccid stance is German guilt over the Holocaust holding the German government back. It's loony, because supporting Israeli oppression does not repair the past.

[FMJ IRISH]

Europe can't grow a pair while the US is dominant. There are too many sycophants, though that is slowly changing.

The Holocaust guilt has its part to play for German, but practically no one else has such a problem. The two things are separate as well.

[opiegonebad]

Germany pulls an awful lot of strings; I wouldn't dismiss their influence in this matter. And they're hardly alone, though the effect is strongest there.

That aside, I'm tired of the "he made me do it!" excuse. Yes, the US exerts influence, but at the end of the day, Europe is responsible for Europe's actions. Europe could do a hell of a lot more than it does today, US or no. Excuses are tiresome, and there's plenty of culpability to go around, in the US and in Europe.

[opiegonebad]

I see no reason why YouTube comments should be divorced from the political message in the videos. Indeed, one of my motivations in sticking the subtitles on DAM's video was precisely to help communicate a political message, and generate discussion around the subject.

Besides, IMHO some of the best music is music that has something to say, and often that means politics.

[Ned Stark]

Long live Palestine!

[jared azar]

232 Zionists Dislikedd this ! smhh . ArabPridee

[AnaMusafirah]

ya israel scum isnt loyal at all so no support on iran we can only be happy and encourage such friendship

[ThePodrazno]

good video with great message. i wish you freedom.Piece. But those who sell weapon,they don't care how many people are killed.It is all always about money. very sad.Thank you DAM FOR THIS song.

[THEWEIRDOTRIO1]

@HipHophead1980 Shadia Mansour is a great arab hip hop artist too!!  : )

[jubavolubilis]

I broke the law no the law broke me! respect for this group, un jhour la palestine sera libre