Classic Israeli singer Yardena Arazi is calling on all Israeli radio stations to exclusively broadcast Israeli music in the age of Coronavirus (source: Walla).

In a Facebook post on March 16, Arazi urged radio stations to do their part to help Israeli artists whose livelihoods have been negatively affected due to cancelled concerts and other lost opportunities.

“In these troubled days of uncertainly, when we can’t know when this worldwide nightmare will end,” she wrote, Israeli artists need a voice.”

“We’ve always been with you. On all fronts. In war and in times of joy. In the military posts, in the shelters, in the hospitals, and of course on the stages.

“We were Israel’s soundtrack”

“Most of all, we were Israel’s soundtrack. We reflected the national mood for good and for bad and sang with great, endless love for our home.

“And now it’s the state’s turn to remember, to recall, and to be reminded of our voice.

“Until this fury passes, until we can once again meet our audience on the stages and the entertainment centers, we urge all radio stations to play only Israeli music of all genres and all years, in order to increase royalties for the artists that depend on them to earn a living.

“Don’t let Corona silence us, because the Israeli melody can’t be stopped!”

Walla reports that Arazi was forced to cancel a sold out performance last Friday (Feb. 13) with special guests Keren Peles and HaGivatron. She also was scheduled to take part in a huge International Women’s Day show at Heichal Menorah in Tel Aviv, in which she would perform alongside Rita, Miri Mesika, Eden Ben Zaken, among others.

Do you agree with Yardena Arazi’s suggestion? Do Israeli radio stations have an obligation to support Israeli artists during this difficult time? Or is it more important for broadcasters to play what their audience wants to hear? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!