"The singing paratrooper", as Meir Ariel was called in the early days at Mishmarot Kibbutz, took an active part in two wars—in 1967 and 1973—which greatly affected his views. During a short stay in the US in the '70s, he discovered the songs and lyrics of Bob Dylan, and he returned to Israel armed with musical purpose. Thenceforth his songs were beautifully crafted social documents, discussing war, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the hardships of being Jewish, social injustice—and love. His impact as a formidable Israeli voice lasted until his death in 1999.