Eyes Wide Open: The Siege

B'Tselem 9 February 2004

B’Tselem has produced a song and music video as part of the organization’s campaign against Israel’s siege policy. The song - “Eyes Wide Open” - is a remake of a popular Israeli song, featuring well-known Israeli artists. The song’s lyrics speak of the need to acknowledge the reality around us. “You have to see the wrong in order to fight it… Don’t put on glasses/Rose colored or gray/Look with your eyes/Eyes wide open.” The music video features footage taken at roadblocks and checkpoints within the West Bank and shows the daily reality of Israel’s siege policy.
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    Lyrics: Eyes Wide Open

    Lyrics: Nathan Alterman
    Music: Miki Gavrielov
    Adaptation: Eldar Lidor

    There are those who see everything through rose-colored glasses.
    That’s not healthy everyone says - it’s even very dangerous.
    There are those who see everything through a gray fog.
    It’s just a different form of the same disease.

    Don’t put on glasses
    Rose-colored or gray.
    Look with your eyes -
    Eyes wide open.

    Don’t say that we’re still just a minority here in this land.
    Here, there is room for optimism.
    Don’t say “Zion, rejoice in song and dance”
    Here, a bit of pessimism is warranted.

    Don’t put on glasses
    Rose-colored or gray.
    Look with your eyes -
    Eyes wide open.

    Get news and commentary from the newspaper
    But come to us to get a dose of satisfaction.
    You have to see the wrong in order to fight it.
    You have to safeguard the good to take some comfort in it.

    Don’t put on glasses
    Rose-colored or gray.
    Look with your eyes -
    Eyes wide open.

    Translation: B’Tselem

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  • BY TOPIC: Restrictions on Movement