Ghosts of Deir Yassin
Musician Phil Monsours Ghosts of Deir Yassin song and video released in May 2012 powerfully captures the steadfast spirit of the Palestinian refugees hoping to return to their homes.
Filmed over five days in early 2012 the clip features the people from the Bourj el-Barajneh refugee camps in Beirut Lebanon and the Al Baqaa camp outside Amman in Jordan. The video includes images of people of all generations writing the names of their cities and villages in Palestine on their hands and holding them up to the camera. The song Ghosts of Deir Yassin, is a statement of hope on the Palestinian right of return and features the Palestinian spoken words artist Rafeef Ziadah reciting Fawda Tuqan’s poetry: “I hope one day to return to my beloved homeland, to the flowers and roses, I no longer fear their power, I will return.” (Electronic Intifada).
The 12 songs on Ghosts of Deir Yassin were written during a trip to Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon. Inspired by the courage of ordinary people fighting for freedom and justice from Palestine’s refugee camps, to Egypt’s Tahir square, through to the Occupy squares, the lyrics are a fearless rally cry for action and solidarity. The CD is available at CDbaby and other outlets. Musically, the CD is a unique collection of anthemic rock songs and folk ballads combined to capture both the alarm and optimism of current times.
20% of CD sales are donated to the Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA projects in the Middle East. these include the Gaza Emergency Appeal, Food Security Projects in the OPT and the Palestinian Camps Support Program. APHEDA is the international development agency of the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
Phil Monsour is a singer songwriter of Arab descent who lives in Australia. He is a founding member of Artists Against Apartheid – Australia.
Watch the video here (link through to YouTube):
