Balti

Tunisian rapper Balti (real name Mohamed Salah Balti), one of the most prominent figures in Arab hip-hop, has expressed strong support for the Palestinian cause through his music and charitable efforts.

His opinions align with widespread Arab solidarity for Palestine, emphasizing resistance to occupation, criticism of historical injustices like the Balfour Declaration, and calls for Palestinian independence and return to their homeland. This stance is evident in his contributions to songs addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Gaza, as well as his fundraising activities. Below is a summary of key examples and themes from his work.

Key Musical Contributions Supporting Palestine

Balti has used his platform in collaborative tracks to highlight Palestinian suffering and resilience, especially amid the Israel-Gaza conflict that escalated after October 7, 2023. These songs frame the issue as an anti-colonial struggle rather than a mere humanitarian crisis.

• “Rajieen” (We Are Returning, 2023): This is Balti’s most prominent recent contribution to pro-Palestine music. Released on October 31, 2023—amid Israel’s bombardment of Gaza—the nearly eight-minute anthem features 25 Arab artists, including Egyptian rappers Afroto and Marwan Pablo, Jordanian singer Issam Alnajjar, Syrian artist Ghaliaa Chaker, and others. Produced by Jordanian Nasir Al Bashir, the track is a defiant call for Palestinian return to their lands, rejecting Zionism and referencing historical grievances. Balti delivers a compact verse early in the song, questioning peace under the shadow of the 1917 Balfour Declaration: “How can we declare peace when Balfour’s declaration stands?” This line positions the conflict as a “hundred years’ war on Palestine,” echoing anti-colonial Arab discourses. The chorus, led by Issam Alnajjar, affirms resilience: “But the key to my home remains in my heart / And I’m returning with my children in my arms / Even if the whole world stands against me / I am returning, O my country, I am returning.” The video has garnered millions of views on platforms like YouTube, amplifying Palestinian voices during a time when over 30,000 Palestinians had been killed in Gaza by early 2024. Balti’s involvement underscores his view of the Gaza crisis as part of a broader occupation, urging global awareness and action.

• “Palestine” (2009): Earlier in his career, Balti released a solo track titled “Palestine” from his album L’Album Avant L’Albombe. Featuring a sample or reference to Yasser Arafat (the late Palestinian leader), the song expresses solidarity with the Palestinian struggle. Lyrics and full details are limited in available sources, but it reflects Balti’s longstanding engagement with the cause, predating the 2023-2025 Gaza war. This track positions Palestine as a symbol of resistance against oppression, aligning with his broader lyrical themes of social injustice, which he often ties to Arab unity.

Fundraising and Broader Activism

Beyond music, Balti has actively fundraised for Palestinian aid, particularly for Gaza. According to biographical sources, he has organized and participated in significant donation drives to support relief efforts for Palestinians affected by the genocide. This includes contributions to organizations providing humanitarian aid in Gaza, where the genocide has displaced nearly 2 million people and caused widespread destruction. His efforts are part of a pattern in his career of addressing political issues through rap. As a Tunisian artist from a working-class background in Tunis, Balti often frames his support as a moral duty, drawing parallels between Tunisian struggles for dignity and Palestinian resilience.

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