Riki Gal Releases New Song Mourning Sister, Reflecting Oct. 7 Losses

Israeli singer Riki Gal has released a new song titled "Shalom Lach Achoti" (Peace Be With You, My Sister), a farewell piece that has taken on profound personal meaning following the death of her sister, Sarit, from cancer. Gal wrote the lyrics about a year before her sister's passing, intending them for anyone who has lost a sibling, and the song's resonance deepened significantly after the October 7th attacks.

Gal explained that when she wrote the song, she felt she was writing for everyone who had lost a sister "by blood and soul." She added that the song's meaning was amplified by the events of October 7th and her family's impending experience of a loss they had been anticipating for 33 years.

The music for the song was composed by Kobi Oshrat. The music video for "Shalom Lach Achoti" incorporates original artwork created by Gal's sister, Sarit, during her battle with cancer. Despite being 100% disabled, paralyzed, and with only one functioning hand, Sarit continued to paint. These paintings are now featured in the video, becoming an integral part of the song's farewell narrative.