Prominent Musician and Educator Salem Darwish Dies in Rameh

The village of Rameh is mourning the passing of Salem Darwish, a distinguished musician, composer, and educator, who died on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Darwish was a significant figure in the cultural and artistic landscape of the village and the wider Arab community, leaving a lasting legacy in music, composition, education, and cultural work.

Born and raised in Rameh into a musical family, Darwish received his early musical training from his father, a musician. He honed his talents, becoming proficient in playing instruments such as the oud, saz, and bouzouki, as well as percussion. His career included composing dozens of songs and melodies, creating original musical works, and scoring theatrical productions. He collaborated with numerous local and international artists.

Beyond his artistic endeavors, Darwish was a dedicated music and rhythm teacher in several schools, imparting his knowledge to generations of young musicians. He was a co-founder of the "Green Olive" band in the 1970s, a pioneering musical group at the time, and also helped establish the "Ya'ad" choir, training its members and composing for them. He participated with various ensembles and artists in performances within Israel and abroad.

Darwish also explored theater and film scoring, establishing his own studio for composition and music production. His influence extended to his children, including Darwish, Adham, Nour, and Balsam, who have continued his artistic legacy. His funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 5 PM at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Rameh.