A concerto on an Israeli tank

The Bible says a time of universal peace will come when swords will be turned into ploughshares. For Israeli reservist Dror Gomel, that time is now. The 36-year-old has transformed his military tank into a melodic percussion instrument.

Gomel, a professional percussionist and special education teacher, can be seen in the video, which was shot in southern Israel, playing the front end of his tank to the delight of his infantry. The words he recites: “No more war, no more bloodshed”, were famously uttered by the late Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the 1978 signing of the peace accords with Egypt.

Gomel posted the video on his facebook page with the comment: “Last week I was on reserve duty. There I met the cream of Israeli society: all kinds, types and colours. People who are willing to give their time to their society. We have a strong and excellent army. And our hand is extended towards peace all the time. I dedicate this video to all my reservist friends wherever they may be."

"Ever since I became familiar with this army vehicle, I have been playing it"

Dror Gomel, 36, is a percussionist and special education teacher, who lives in the Beit Kama Kibbutz in Israel’s northern Negev Desert. He, like most other Israeli citizens, did his compulsary military service as a young man, and is now a reservist. Reservists in Israel are required to undergo training and active duty for a few weeks every year.

Ever since I became familiar with this army vehicle, I have been playing it. It just so happens that now my friends decided to film it. The main message is that although we excel at fighting with this vehicle, we prefer to transform it into a musical instrument. If only all the instruments of war would turn into musical instruments.

Before publishing this, I thought a lot and consulted with friends about the responses I might get: Am I hurting the image of the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces]? Does the IDF come across looking weak? Do the Israeli soldiers look unserious? Will the message of universal peace translate?

In the end, I decided to publish it because I believe the video sheds light on the positive and human side of the Israeli soldier. If only all the instruments of war would turn into musical instruments.”