Hatikvah: Time for Revised Lyrics

Hatikvah is a great song.  For use in a synagogue or on occasions where Jews may be gathered absolutely no change is called for.  However, as a national anthem to be sung by Israeli Muslims, Christians, Druze, and many other Israeli citizens it is a problem.

Here are a few lines of the Hatikvah:

As long as the Jewish spirit is yearning deep in the heart,
With eyes turned toward the East, looking towards Zion.
Then our hope -- the 2000-year old hope -- will not be lost
To be a free people in our land
The land of Zion and Jerusalem

To repeat:  This works great in a synagogue where it should be kept as is.  However, for a nation were roughly 20% is not Jewish we have a problem.

We want all Israelis to identify with Israel -- even non-Jews.  That's what a national anthem is all about.  But how do you do this with those people who are not Jewish?  Do we expect them to identify with the "Jewish spirit?"  "Eyes turned toward the East" -- Does this include Ethiopians, or is it restricted to European Jewry?  And what does "Zion" mean to a non-Jew.

A line that should work perfectly is ". . .  our land, the land of (Israel) and Jerusalem."  Of course, non-Jews would have a somewhat different understanding of this line.  Sure, their land is Israel and its capitol is Jerusalem.  But, of course, for them the words would mean something a bit different than what it means for Jews.

Let's keep Israel Jewish, but let's also have the 20% that's not Jewish feel they've got a stake in this their home country.  Why not have one Hatikvah melody, but two sets of lyrics; one, for the synagogue and one for general public usage?