Free Palestine

Esne Beltza's song 'Free Palestine' is a poignant and powerful call for awareness and action regarding the ongoing conflict in Palestine. The lyrics, written in Basque, reflect the deep pain and suffering experienced by Palestinian children and the indifference or helplessness felt by those observing from afar. The opening lines describe how the eyes of Palestinian children are closed as soon as they open, symbolizing the immediate and relentless hardships they face. The song questions whether physical distance or emotional desensitization is the real barrier preventing people from truly empathizing with the plight of Palestinians.

The song delves into the idea that while people may understand the pain of others, they often fail to let it touch their hearts deeply. This is highlighted by the lines that mention how learning to count the dead has made people forget how to feel. The references to specific locations like Nablus, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem serve to ground the song in the harsh realities of these places, contrasting the dire situation there with the relative comfort of the listener's own position. The repeated questioning of how many stones lie between Palestine and the listener underscores the physical and metaphorical barriers that exist.

The chorus, 'FREE PALESTINE, ASKE IZAN ARTE' (Free Palestine, Until They Are Free), is a rallying cry for liberation and justice. It emphasizes the urgency and necessity of freeing Palestine from oppression. The song is not just a lament but a call to action, urging listeners to move beyond passive observation and to actively care about and engage with the issues at hand. Esne Beltza uses their platform to amplify the voices of the oppressed and to remind the world of the ongoing struggle for freedom and justice in Palestine.