Lebanese singer Carine Bassili performed a cover of "Hurricane" and posted it on her Instagram account. "It's pretty tough to sing this song, but I couldn't pass up the chance. I wanted to support her because I felt that as an artist competing in a music contest, she was treated very unfairly," Bassili told Ynet. "I felt I needed to support her in any way I could."
'Hurricane' in Arabic: Lebanese singer stands up for Israel
For Bassili, a Christian born and raised in Lebanon who now resides in the United States, performing "Hurricane" in Arabic carried a sense of mission. "I didn't know if anyone would hear it if she would hear it, but we wanted to do something from my side," she explained.
"It's also a message to the Jewish people: There are many who hate Lebanon, 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."
Having lived in the United States for years, Basili has faced varied reactions from her family and friends in Lebanon.
"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. 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.'"