On the recent anniversary of Yasser Arafat's death, official Palestinian Authority TV produced and broadcast a music video praising Arafat.
The lyrics of the song glorify death, describing how "death for the sake of Palestine is good," and how "I have poured the blood of self-sacrifice on your path."The song honors Arafat as someone who was "friends with the rifle," who "declared the revolution and continued to fight," "did not tire," and "did not give up on the principles."
The lyrics end with a promise to Arafat to continue his militant path:
"We swear at your grave, by Allah, not to forget your name and your oath.
We have not abandoned your weapon."
The visual side of the music video portrays Arafat as the military man he was most of his life, and neglects to include anything showing Arafat as a peace negotiator and Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
The music video commemorating Arafat was broadcast daily for a week on PA TV, which is directly under the control of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' office.
The following is the transcript of the song PA TV produced to honor Arafat:
"Yasser Arafat - I have written your name in my heart,
I have poured the blood of self-sacrifice on your path.
How can I forget my nation's catastrophe (i.e., establishment of Israel) as I say: Death for the sake of Palestine is good.
All the soldiers stood at attention.
They stood at your grave, saluting you
with the weapon of rebellion loaded,
with bullets which flew and greeted you.
Yasser and the rifle were friends as testified by [fights in] the trenches and alleys.
The homeland cries out "I'm missing [you]" and the nation speaks and eulogizes you, Yasser. All the soldiers stood at attention.
You declared the revolution and continued to fight. No, you did not tire.
You did not give up on the principles. The heavier your burden, the more it strengthened you, Yasser. All the soldiers stood at attention.
We swear at your grave, by Allah, not to forget your name and your oath.
We have not abandoned your weapon. Your oath is an obligation which we will carry out, Yasser. All the soldiers stood at attention."
"Produced by PA TV Palestine"
[PA TV (Fatah), Nov. 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 2011]
