After 26 years without an original album, Ruti Navon, one of Israeli music’s most iconic voices, is back in the recording studio. Her comeback centers on “Hovetzet la-Be'era,” a song by Gila Lapidot that is part of composer Kobi Oshrat’s project “Rikud HaChayim,” a reunion that Navon described as almost family-like. She said the song is a love song, aimed “to someone, to God, to the world, and to our beloved Land of Israel,” and added that it was finally time for it to be released.
Navon used the interview to deliver a sharp criticism of Israel’s radio stations and music industry, saying they favor older songs and ignore new material from veteran artists. She said she spent 22 years in the country performing all over it, but radio stations “love to play old music,” and she had spoken with many singers of her generation who felt the same. Because of that, she said she decided not to invest money in recordings that would be wasted.
She also argued that today’s songs often lack staying power. While praising younger artists as talented and enjoyable to listen to, she said many current songs will not be remembered in a year and will not become lasting cultural assets. At the same time, she said working on “Rikud HaChayim” alongside artists such as Ilanit, Uzi Fox, and Edna Goren gives her deep satisfaction.
Navon, who was an early pioneer of religious observance among Israeli entertainers, also spoke about the recent surge in spiritual seeking in Israel. She said, “The soul of our country is wounded,” and described the renewed interest in faith as a natural response to suffering, not a trend. Recalling her own return to religion, she said fame brought her to a material peak, but left her asking, “Is that all?” She said she encountered Chabad and the Lubavitcher Rebbe while in the United States, and added that Torah study is an inexhaustible source of fulfillment. She said she is calm about her children following that path, while noting that everything depends on personal character.
