Meir Kleiner Composes New Song Honoring Fallen Officer Itan Oster

Israeli singer and composer Meir Kleiner has released a new song titled "Ahavat Itan" (Itan's Love), featuring vocalist Aviad Bazak. The melody is based on words from a traditional Rosh Hashanah prayer poem and was inspired by Kleiner's encounter with the family of Captain Itan Oster, an elite Egoz unit officer who was killed during combat in Lebanon. Kleiner recounted to Channel 7 that about a year and a half ago, he had the honor of playing at a Torah dedication ceremony with the Oster family, who had lost their son Itan. The emotional meeting and the ancient prayer's words stayed with him, leading him to compose a new melody dedicated to Oster's memory and to all fallen soldiers.

The lyrics of the poem used in the song include the lines: "May our master Itan's love still be remembered, and the son of the fallen will silence our judges, and by the merit of the innocent, this day will bring forth our judgment." Kleiner composed the music, performed vocals and clarinet, while Aviad Bazak also contributed vocals. The musical arrangement and production were handled by David Lifshitz, who played guitars, bass, and keyboards, with Assaf Zamir on drums and Oren Tzur on violins and string arrangements.