As part of the lead-up to the 1967, “The Voice of Israel Song Festival,” Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek commissions five songs to be written about Jerusalem. Naomi Shemer, already one of Israel’s most accomplished songwriters is one of those asked to compose a song. Her song, “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav” (Jerusalem of Gold), Sung by Shuli Nathan, is proclaimed as the hit of the festival. Though well received, it does not become the most popular Israeli song, after the National Anthem, Hatikvah, until three weeks after the June 1967 War, when Shemer adds another stanza, emphasizing the return of all of Jerusalem to Israeli control.
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