Zion Golan


Zion Golan, also known as Tzion Golan, is an Israeli singer of Yemenite Jewish origin.

Background

Most of Golan's songs are in Judeo-Yemeni Arabic and in Yemenite Hebrew. Most of his songs were written and composed in Israel by himself, his mother in law, Naomi Amrani and by other Israeli writers. Some of his songs were written by the famous Rabbi Shalom Shabazi.
Golan has recorded over 22 albums. He records mostly from a studio in his own home.

Personal life

Golan was born to Yemeni immigrants in Ashkelon, Israel. A modern Orthodox Yemenite Jew, he currently lives with his wife and three children in the Ahuzat Etrog neighborhood of Merkaz Shapira.
In 1974, Golan joined the Israel Defense Forces as a soloist in the Israel Army Rabbinical choir.

Worldwide reach

Golan's music is popular outside of Israel, particularly in Yemen, where his family originates. Though the Yemeni government prohibits direct contact with Israel, Golan's records have managed to reach the Yemeni public via the underground, selling around 50,000 records per album release. It has been reported that his songs are known to "blare from cafes and taxis" in Yemen.
According to an interview in Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, at one point in time Golan was set to give a performance in Yemen, and visas were to be issued by the Jordanian embassy in Tel Aviv, but the concert was canceled because of concerns for Golan's family.
Golan's songs are also sung by contemporary Yemeni singers such as Fadel Al Hamami.

Example of Songs written in Israel

The following songs were written and composed by Israelis, as mentioned on his album covers: