KUALA LUMPUR: A video depicting Israeli children allegedly singing a song with lyrics that encourage the 'annihilation' of Palestinians in Gaza has sparked widespread outrage among netizens.
The video, titled 'Friendship Song 2023' was posted on The Civil Front X platform on Nov 19.
An online Chicago-based publication that covers the Israel-Palestine conflict, Electronic Intifada reposted an edited version of the video with English subtitles on their X platform.
The video features kids singing to each other and the camera, accompanied by scenes that include an Israeli flag backdrop appearing at various points.
The video also portrays Israeli soldiers on active duty or expressing grief, along with computer-generated effects depicting the bombing of structures.
Electronic Intifada claimed the lyrics of the song went: "Autumn night falls over the beach of Gaza, planes are bombing, destruction, destruction. Look the IDF (Israeli army) is crossing the line to annihilate the swastika bearers.
"In another year there will be nothing there and we will return safely to our homes. Within a year we will annihilate everyone and then we will return to plow our fields.
"We will show the world how today we destroy our enemy."
The lyrics and video have faced widespread criticism from netizens worldwide.
User @LailaAlarian said it was sickening to watch the video given that Palestinian children too suffer from the war.
"It is sickening to watch this video of Israeli children singing about the annihilation of Gaza as thousands of Palestinian children suffocate under the rubble, suffer unimaginable injuries caused by experimental weapons and bury their siblings and parents," she said.
Another user, @tartanmarvel89, expressed dismay at parents who allow their children to be used to spread propaganda
"I don't blame the kids. I blame the parents. Imagine using your kids for this propaganda," he said.
A pan-Arab news media, The New Arab reported that the video was earlier shared by Israel's public broadcaster known as 'Kan' on its website and social media, before being taken down.
Kan said the 'Friendship Song 2023' is an adaptation of a song commemorating Israelis killed in the run-up to the establishment of the Israel state in 1948.
The Civic Front describes itself as an "apolitical movement" founded in the aftermath of Hamas's attack on Israel on Oct 7.
The group has produced a series of videos that call for the destruction of Gaza in response to the attack.