Shir LaShalom (Hebrew: שיר לשלום, lit. Song for Peace) is a popular Israeli song that has come to be an anthem of the Israeli peace camp. The song was first written in 1969. The lyrics were by Yaakov Rotblit and the melody was written by Yair Rosenblum. Though the song was originally written by members of the Nahal Brigade Entertainment Troupe of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), many in the Israeli military establishment were not pleased by its anti-war message and Rehavam Ze'evi who was then the IDF's head of Central Command, banned the song from being played during performances. The song was sung at the rally where Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated and is often associated with his assassination and its aftermath in Israeli culture. A copy of the song's lyrics was found on Rabin's body, soaked in his blood.
While it is hard to question the general message of the lyrics, Israeli society is divided about it. Many from the Israeli right claimed that it was improper to use this song for propaganda during the first Lebanon war because of its anti-war lyrics. Some religious groups have said that parts of the lyrics ("The purest of prayers will not bring us back" or "don't whisper a prayer") are anti-religious.