Hélène Cixous once wrote: “Woman must write her self: must write about women and bring women to writing, from which they have been driven away as violently as from their bodies… Woman must put herself into the text—as into the world and into history—by her own movement.”

These days, women aren’t as distanced from their voices anymore. They have countless spaces to express themselves, to take up room, to be heard. And in Israel, many singer-songwriters do exactly that—through music, through lyrics, and by owning the stage.

Here are three incredible songs by Israeli women who are doing just that.

 מבול (mah-bool) | Flood by Keren Peles

Keren Peles is one of those artists people seem to have extreme feelings about—you either adore her, know every lyric by heart, sing along in the car, and have been to at least three of her concerts, or you just don’t get the hype. Maybe you feel like all her songs sound the same, that she’s overrated, and you roll your eyes whenever yet another one of her many hits comes on.

I proudly belong to the first group. Though I wasn’t always a fan—at times, I thought her music was a bit cliché—over the years, I’ve come to really appreciate her artistry. One thing no one can deny: she’s one of the hardest-working musicians in Israeli music. She doesn’t just write and perform her own songs; she’s also behind countless hits for other artists, composes for theater, and is constantly collaborating. Beyond her music, I admire her for speaking up. She’s never afraid to voice her political opinions, even on complex issues, and she dedicates a lot of time to charity events. Right now, she’s actively supporting the hostages’ families, performing at rallies and demonstrations.

What I love about her—aside from the fact that, yes, I sing along in the car—is that she’s unapologetically herself. She keeps putting out music, fearlessly. Do I love every song? No. Some resonate more than others. But there’s no denying her talent as a songwriter, composer, and performer.

One of her earliest and most iconic songs, מבול (mah-bool), which means Flood, came out during a time when she faced heavy criticism and public scrutiny. The song’s core message is about finding inner strength—becoming your own refuge when outside voices try to define you. As she puts it in the chorus:

“כשירד מבול על הרחוב / אני אהיה לי גג לשמור אותי קרוב / בחורף מתרחב ברחובות צרים / אני אהיה לי אש מאנשים קרים”

(“When a flood falls on the street / I’ll be my roof to keep me close / In a widening winter on narrow streets / I’ll be my fire from cold people.”)

The song became an anthem—its haunting piano and raw emotion capturing both defiance and resilience. And honestly, that’s what makes Keren Peles so compelling. Love her or not, she’s a force.

 פעם את לילה (pah-ahm aht lahy-lah) | Sometimes You’re Night by Shay Hamber

Shay Hamber’s musical journey began when she was just a child, making a name for herself in one of Israel’s most beloved reality shows, בית ספר למוסיקה (Music School), where she reached the finals at just 13 years old. Even then, her depth, stage presence, and raw emotion were impossible to ignore. After the show, she kept releasing music, performing, and slowly building her career. She made a big comeback in 2021 when she auditioned for The Next Star, another hit music competition, capturing public attention all over again.

Hamber has a rare combination of emotional intensity and an entirely unique melodic style. Her music is often infused with her Tunisian roots, seamlessly blending Oriental sounds with modern influences. But what makes her truly stand out is her ability to bring something fresh to every song. It’s easy to fall into clichés when writing music, but she consistently crafts lyrics that feel original and deeply personal. Her albums aren’t just collections of songs—they’re curated experiences, carefully woven together to tell a story. Her metaphors are never predictable, always making you stop and think.

Her audition for The Next Star left a lasting impact, as she chose to perform one of her own songs—פעם את לילה (Sometimes You’re Night)—a deeply personal piece about a sexual assault she experienced. The song explores the nature of change, how nothing stays the same forever, and how darkness can eventually turn into light. As she sings in the chorus:

“פעם את לילה / פעם יום / כלום לא נשאר באותו מקום”

(“Sometimes you’re night / Sometimes day / Nothing stays in the same place.”)

It’s a song about movement, resilience, and transformation—both in nature and within ourselves.

Watch her moving audition here:

כלום לא עובר על ידי (kloom loh oh-vehr ahl yah-dee) | Nothing Passes Me By – Daniel Rubin

Daniel Rubin is one of the leading voices in Israel’s indie music scene. Her songs are a rare mix of smart, witty lyrics that somehow manage to be both lighthearted and deeply profound at the same time. She writes in a natural, everyday language, capturing personal truths that feel strikingly universal. Her arrangements are often intimate, leaving plenty of space for the words to breathe, yet her melodies are distinct—nothing quite sounds like her.

Rubin has a gift for turning life’s small moments into music, effortlessly weaving humor into deeply personal topics. In her stunning album האלבום שיעיר את אמא (The Album That Will Wake Mom Up), she bravely tells the story of her mother’s bipolar diagnosis, unfolding across seven beautifully crafted songs. She doesn’t shy away from vulnerability, and she’s also constantly collaborating with other artists, making her a dynamic force in the indie scene.

Her song כלום לא עובר על ידי (Nothing Passes Me By), from her debut album, perfectly encapsulates her unique blend of youthful freshness and emotional wisdom. It speaks to anyone who feels deeply—those who walk through the world with exposed skin, absorbing everything around them. As she sings:

“כלום לא עובר על ידי / הכל נוגע / עור חשוף בעולם מלא מי מלח”

(“Nothing passes me by / Everything touches / Exposed skin in a world full of salt water.”)

It’s no surprise this song has become one of her most beloved. It puts into words a feeling so many of us know—sometimes more than we’d like. And with its delicate yet unforgettable melody, it’s one of those songs you can’t help but sing along to.

Women writing themselves into history—whether through literature or music—isn’t just something of the past. It’s happening now, every day, in every song.