Netta Barzilai gives new life to ‘Chai’ in Independence Day music video

To mark Israel’s 77th Independence Day, Israeli singer Netta Barzilai has released a new rendition of the iconic anthem “Chai,” in partnership with The Jewish Agency for Israel.

Originally performed by Ofra Haza at the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest, Barzilai, who won Eurovision for Israel in 2018 with her song “Toy,” reimagined Chai to reflect the resilience and unity she has seen in the Jewish people since Hamas launched its war with Israel on October 7, 2023.

“Since October 7th, the strongest feeling I’ve had within our collective sense of loneliness is that it demands togetherness. That our unity is our strength,” said Barzilai. “Together, we amplify the light in this ongoing darkness.”

Barzilai’s version features an emotionally charged music video showcasing new immigrants who arrived during wartime, global Jewish volunteers, youth from Israel’s conflict zones, terror survivors, and freed hostage Dafna Elyakim. Together, they bring to life a message of hope and solidarity.

At the video’s climax, Barzilai joins Elyakim to sing the line, “So here’s to life — to all my friends and to those yearning to return,” against a backdrop of barren land symbolically renewed by their presence.

“Chai” written by Ehud Manor and Avi Toledano, has become an Israeli anthem of Jewish pride, frequently covered by Israeli pop stars, social media figures, a cappella troupes, and communal singing productions.

Ofra Haza’s second-place performance at the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest in Munich was seen as particularly poignant given the contest’s location in post-Holocaust Germany.