A Christian Lebanese singer released a video of herself performing Israel’s Eurovision 2024 song, Hurricane, in Arabic.
Carine Bassili, who lives in California, said she wanted to support Israeli singer Eden Golan after she endured harassment during the Eurovision song competition in Malmö, Sweden last week. Golan, 20, finished in fifth place despite facing anti-Israeli demonstrations inside and outside the arena, as well as having to rehearse and perform amidst booing and chants of “Free Palestine.”
“It’s pretty tough to sing this song, but I couldn’t pass up the chance,” Bassili, 38, told Israel’s Ynet News.
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“It’s also a message to the Jewish people: There are many who hate Israel, but there are those of us who don’t. We want to show our support; we don’t want to be silent anymore. We’ve been quiet long enough. It’s time for Lebanese Christians to stand with Israel, as we have historically.”
Bassili was born and raised in Beirut during the civil war, which lasted from 1975 to 1990. According to her LinkedIn profile, her experiences gave her the drive to help bring about positive change for peace.
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“Overcoming the traumas of war, Carine felt a call in her heart for peace. Not truly understanding it she went on a journey of healing and forgiveness all in the name of love and peace. Now living in the United States along with her husband she started a nonprofit called, Pure Love Ministries, with the mission to reach and fight for people all over the world, especially the Middle East, through worship, advocacy and humanitarian work.”
Bassili said that she has paid a high price for her support of the Jewish state.
“Over the past 3-4 years, I’ve been very clear about my stance and support for Israel. I don’t speak with my mother in Lebanon; we have no communication. Some of my family is here, but my friends—none of them speak to me, except for a few who are scared to talk to me.”
She added: “But I truly believe in what I’m doing and that it’s a step towards peace. I want to break these barriers of hate and say, ‘Yes, you all turned against her, but we want to show that many Arabs are not against her or Israel.’”
In 2021, Bassili cooperated with Israeli singer Yair Levy on a song that went viral in the Middle East, according to Bassili. The song, “Ishfiha” (Arabic for “heal her”) was performed in Arabic as a duet by the two singers.
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