Not just falafel: Arabs say Israel is "stealing" their music, too

A new book issued by a division of Egypt's Ministry of Culture claims that Jews "stole" Coptic music and passed it off as their own in order to help uproot Egyptian culture.

The author of "Coptic music and Jewish music in the Arms of the Nile," says that "Israel is trying to penetrate Egyptian art and Egyptian culture in any way possible" by pretending that Egyptian tunes are really Jewish.

A number of examples are given of music that the Jews allegedly stole. I believe this is one of them, which was attributed to a Jewish composer:



And another:



These were both apparently popular Egyptian tunes in the past, so while perhaps a Jewish composer used elements from Coptic music to write them, they were not described as "Jewish music" by Egyptians who enjoyed them on the radio.

The book says that Coptic music is linked directly to ancient Pharaonic Egyptian music so it is the closest that one can hear the music of ancient Egypt. Therefore, presumably, it is an affront for Jews to borrow influences from there.

There is no doubt that much of Jewish music is derivative - being in the Diaspora for 2000 years will tend to do that to a people. And it happens today as well. (The music introducing a new bride and groom in Orthodox Jewish weddings before the first dance is invariably and hilariously taken from popular rock artists like The Scorpions or Ozzy Osbourne to the complete ignorance of most of the celebrants.) But to ascribe this to a conspiracy theory that Israel is attempting to destroy Egyptian culture by "stealing" their songs is as bizarre as, well, being upset over Jews "stealing " falafel and hummus.

Those who are secure in their own culture and historical accomplishments are not upset when others adapt it.

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