The national anthem of Israel is built on a 16th-century Italian folk melody

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Hatikvah, the anthem of Israel, is a paradox. Its lyrics express a two-millennium-old longing for a Jewish homeland, yet its haunting melody originated in Renaissance Italy. While it serves as a powerful symbol of national identity, its explicit focus on Jewish yearning has sparked decades of debate regarding inclusivity.

The anthem's lyrics were penned in 1878 by Naftali Herz Imber, a poet from Zolochiv. Originally titled Tikvatenu, or Our Hope, the poem was inspired by the founding of Petah Tikva. It was formally adopted by the Zionist movement in 1933, though it had been sung at congresses since 1901. The state of Israel unofficially used it upon its 1948 establishment, but it only became the official national anthem through a 2004 Knesset amendment.

Musically, Hatikvah is unique. It relies on a minor scale, which is rare for national anthems and often perceived as mournful, despite the optimistic message of the text. The melody itself is derived from La Mantovana, a 16th-century Italian composition by Giuseppe Cenci. Before becoming the Zionist anthem, this tune traveled across Europe, appearing in various folk traditions and even in Bedřich Smetana’s symphonic poem Vltava, which celebrates the river flowing through Prague.

The anthem remains a focal point of cultural and political tension. Because the lyrics specifically reference the yearning of a Jewish soul, many non-Jewish citizens, including Arab-Israelis, find it difficult to identify with the song. Notable figures, such as former Supreme Court justice Salim Joubran and cabinet ministers Saleh Tarif and Raleb Majadale, have faced public scrutiny for refusing to sing it. Critics argue the anthem excludes significant portions of the citizenry, leading to periodic calls for text modifications to foster greater inclusivity.

Beyond internal politics, the anthem has been reinterpreted in diverse ways. Some religious Jews have criticized it for lacking explicit mentions of God or the Torah, while others, like Yiddishist songwriter Isabel Frey, have sought to reclaim the melody for anti-nationalist, diasporic expressions. From its origins in 19th-century poetry to its modern status as a state symbol, Hatikvah continues to serve as a complex mirror for the evolving identity of the Jewish people.

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