Belgian-Italian singing sensation Lara Fabian has cancelled a Lebanon concert after activists launched a campaign accusing her of being pro-Israeli.
In a message posted on her official Facebook page, the 42-year-old diva known for her French love songs, said she had pulled out of a planned Valentine’s Day concert in Lebanon over "threats."
"I won’t sing under the threats I’m victim of … I don’t want to deal with hatred. I believe in tolerance, generosity and truth," read her statement.
"Those who don’t understand that and don’t want me to come in their beautiful country where I already had the chance to sing once before don’t have to worry," the post added.
For days, the grass roots Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel in Lebanon has been demanding the cancellation of Fabian’s concert, which had been scheduled for Feb. 14 and 15 at the Casino du Liban.
"This is part of cultural normalization with the Zionist state," Samah Idriss, who heads the campaign, told AFP on Friday.
"We did the background research and verified a few facts," Idriss said. "She’s already done so much that proves that she is committed to Zionism and to the support of Israel."
Fabian, 42, sang in Hebrew and duetted with an Israeli singer at a 2008 concert in Paris marking the 60th anniversary of the creation of the state of Israel. The same date marks the occupation of Palestinian lands and the displacement of Palestinians, referred to as El-Nakba or the “catastrophe”.
The singer, who has previously performed in Lebanon, has also held concerts in Tel Aviv.
Fabian is the latest in a string of performers who have cancelled appearances in Lebanon, including French-Moroccan comedian Gad Elmaleh who pulled out of a festival over allegations he had served in the Israeli army.
Lebanon and Israel remain technically in a state of war.
