Because of the spirit, and the contribution to creation and society: The Minister of Culture and Sports, Hili Trooper, and the Minister of Transportation, Miri Regev, announced tonight (Thursday) to singer Shlomi Shabbat that he has been chosen to bring a beacon on the eve of the country’s 73rd Independence Day, which will be marked next month. Shabbat, who was at the time of receiving the moving call in Bnei Brak, said: “Wow, if I had not been in the middle of Bnei Brak, I would have cried.” Ministers Trooper and Regev congratulated him, saying they had made the decision to carry a beacon unanimously.
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“The theme of this year’s ceremony is ‘Israeli fraternity,’ and you are a symbol of fraternity, also in creation and music, in the connection between East and West, tradition and the whole of Israeli society,” said Minister Trooper. “After the corona year, which you also defeated with your great spirit, we thought there was nothing more suitable than you,” he added. Regev concluded: “With you ‘just because of the spirit’ it’s not just an expression ‘”. Shabbat thanked them and added: “What excitement.”
Regev said that “there have been many proposals for highs and lows, and these decisions are not always simple because there are a lot of excellent composers, musicians and artists, but this unanimous decision, and also me and Hili, says a lot about who you are, your values and what kind of artist and musician you are. “. She added: “Beyond that, about your wonderful music that comes from the heart and enters the heart. I am sure you will excite the people of Israel.”
Shabbat, 66, has been ill for the past year in Corona, has been hospitalized for a long time and was in critical condition. Once recovered, act to warn the public of the dangers of the disease, and to encourage immunization. For years, Shabbat has donated his personal time and volunteered in various settings – in front of the sick and injured, a tradition he continued during the Corona period despite the health difficulty.
Among his famous songs: “Only because of the spirit”, “Everyone has”, “Dad” and more. Over the years, Shabbat has collaborated with dozens of young Israeli artists and given them a stage. Shabbat even got to perform at the 71st beacon ceremony and renew Zohar Argov’s song “Don’t Ask.” The upcoming Independence Day, in about three weeks, will be celebrated under the auspices of the “Israeli Brotherhood”, with a salute to the citizens who work to cultivate social resilience in Israel.