Shoshana Damari, widely regarded as the 'queen' of Israeli song, died yesterday at the age of 83 after being admitted to a Tel Aviv hospital suffering from pneumonia. The Yemeni-born singer was best known for her nationalist anthems, which became popular in the years that followed the Jewish state's creation in 1948.
President Moshe Katsav described Damari as someone who "united the country and who conveyed hope and optimism", whilst defence minister Shaul Mofaz said her work "would remain in the hearts of soldiers for years to come."