Wounded Golani Fighter Performs on The Voice and Recites Psalm of Thanks

Avraham Dahan, a 23-year-old Golani Brigade soldier from Even Shmuel who was wounded during combat in Gaza, auditioned on the Israeli TV show The Voice on Channel 13. He performed the song "Balaila Balaila" and immediately after finishing, emotionally recited a Psalm of thanks before the judges. Dahan shared that music has been a lifelong companion, recalling how he sang religious poems at his grandparents' Shabbat table from the age of four and later attended a music school.

Dahan recounted his military service, explaining that on October 7 he was deployed with his comrades and received a priestly blessing from his father before heading out. On November 17, while traveling in a convoy of five armored personnel carriers, the vehicle he was in was hit by a missile, injuring him and his fellow soldiers. After his injury, when his father asked about his dreams, Dahan expressed his wish to pursue music and establish a recording studio. His father fulfilled this dream by setting up a studio, which has become a refuge for him during difficult times.

Idan Raichel recognized Dahan during the audition and spoke about their longstanding connection, which began when Dahan sang with Raichel at the music school and later participated in "Raichel's Stars," a project involving wounded soldiers. Raichel reflected on the song choice, noting that a line in "Balaila Balaila" originated from a note he wrote and that it gains special meaning when sung by Dahan given his story and injury.

Dahan explained that his goal in appearing on the show was to inspire strength in his friends back home and to demonstrate that growth is possible even in hardship. Following his audition, he was accepted onto Idan Raichel's team on The Voice.