Mid-East peace song to be released

Israel has bombed Palestinian radio offices in the past

Palestinian radio is set to broadcast a song in Hebrew for the first time, as Israeli Army radio simultaneously plays an Arabic version of the same track.

The song, In My Heart, by Israeli David Broza and Palestinian Wisam Murad is due to be played on Sunday.

Mr Broza's spokesman said both artists were encouraged to broadcast the song by last month's Sharm el-Sheikh summit.

The two singers say they hope the track will narrow the divisions between their communities.

"It's about love and peace and we are not against peace," said Voice of Palestine director Bassem Abu Sumaya.

"We echo the political environment," he added.

"If there's violence, we cover the facts on the ground. If it's quiet, we can air recreational programmes and songs."

'Pain and Anger'

David Broza is famous in Israel for his folk and rock songs and one of his tracks has already become popular with the Israeli peace movement.

Wisam Murad is known internationally as a member of the group Sabreen, whose songs reflect the problems of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.

The lyrics were written two years ago - at the height of the Palestinian uprising or intifada - by Broza and Wisam Murad's brother, Said, also a member of Sabreen.

"If Said and I could sit when chaos, bombs and havoc were all around us and could write about love, then others can," Broza told the Reuters News Agency.

"After all the pain and anger, something sweet can come out."