Israel Radio’s newest deejays: Members of Knesset

10-hour broadcast, featured MKs from most factions choosing songs from variety of genres, including Israeli classics, recent rock hits.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Rivlin radio 311 (photo credit: Yitzhak Harari)
Rivlin radio 311
(photo credit: Yitzhak Harari)
Knesset Members took over Israel Radio’s Reshet Gimel music station on Monday, for a special holiday broadcast of the politicians’ favorite Hebrew songs.
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin kicked off the radio program with The High Windows’ “A Sad Song,” based on the poem “Will My Voice Be Heard” by Rachel the poetess. He dedicated the song to captive soldier Gilad Schalit, who is set to be released on Tuesday.
“Schalit’s expected return is a milestone in Israel’s journey,” Rivlin said on the air.
“We hope and wish for his return, and when you believe and want something, you reach your goals.”
The first hour of music was chosen entirely by Rivlin, who said: “My whole life is filled with Hebrew songs, expressing periods of strength and weakness, moods and the incoming of exiles.”
The 10-hour broadcast, which began at 10 a.m., featured MKs from most factions choosing songs from a variety of genres, including Israeli classics and recent rock hits. Some MKs told personal stories connected to the songs, and others used them to relay political messages.
Last month, Israel Radio conducted a survey in honor of the New Year, and discovered that the Israeli musical artist most-beloved by MKs is Kaveret. Israel’s representatives in the 1974 Eurovision competition, who are also called “Poogy,” are best known for their humorous songs.