Peaceful Dialogue Is Not a Crime.
The Issue
Dear President Trump and Secretary Rubio,
President Trump, your leadership has demonstrated that even the deepest conflicts can have a path toward peace. We ask you to use your diplomatic influence to help the Lebanese people move beyond laws that perpetuate hostility and prevent peaceful relationships between Lebanese and Israeli citizens.
For decades, Lebanon and Israel have endured conflict, mistrust, and suffering. Lebanon’s sovereignty and national security must be protected. But our painful history should not condemn future generations to permanent hostility.
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the ability to communicate freely and openly with people from all nations is paramount, especially for fostering peace and mutual understanding.
Lebanon’s 1955 Israel Boycott Law and related legal restrictions can expose Lebanese citizens to serious consequences for peaceful contact or cooperation with Israelis, including through music, culture, humanitarian work, education, and dialogue.
Peace cannot be built if ordinary people are punished for reaching across borders.
We are asking you to help Lebanon take a meaningful step toward a future in which security and peace can exist together.
A Voice for Lebanese People Who Choose Peace
My name is Carine Bassili. I am a Lebanese singer and peace advocate. In 2021, I collaborated with Israeli musician Yair Levi on Refa Na, a song of healing and prayer. My decision to create music with an Israeli artist had serious consequences for my ability to return to my homeland.
I did not make music to provoke conflict. I made music to express faith, healing, and the hope that Lebanese and Israeli people can live in peace.
My story is not isolated. Other Lebanese-born individuals and advocates have experienced displacement, legal challenges, or serious barriers connected to their histories, public statements, or engagement concerning Israel.
Their stories include:
Maryam Younes — A Lebanese-born Christian who relocated to Israel with her family in 2000 and has spoken publicly about displacement, her Lebanese identity, and the difficulties surrounding a possible return to Lebanon.
Jonathan Elkhoury — A Lebanese-born Christian who moved to Israel with his family in 2001 and has become a public speaker and advocate addressing minority rights, Israel, and the experiences of Lebanese people living in Israel.
Maria Maalouf — A Lebanese journalist whose reported legal case has raised concerns about the consequences of public engagement involving Israel and criticism of Hezbollah.
Joumana Gebara (also reported as Jabbara) — A Lebanese activist reported to have faced legal proceedings connected to statements concerning Israel.
Dr. Ahmad Yassine — A Lebanese academic and activist reported to have faced legal proceedings involving allegations related to Israel.
Antoun Sehnaoui — A Lebanese banker whose reported judicial scrutiny has raised questions about the consequences of public engagement involving Israeli figures.
Kinda al-Khatib — A Lebanese activist prosecuted in 2020 in a case involving allegations of collaboration with Israel and subsequently released on appeal in 2021.
These individuals have different backgrounds and legal circumstances. They illustrate the need for careful examination of laws and practices that may restrict peaceful engagement or impose disproportionate consequences.
No Lebanese citizen should have to choose between loving their homeland and believing that peace with Israel is possible.
A Call for Leadership and Legislative Reform
We respectfully call on President Trump and Secretary Rubio to make the reform of Lebanon’s Israel Boycott Law a subject of diplomatic engagement with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the Lebanese Parliament.
We recognize Lebanon’s complex political realities, its security concerns, and the suffering its people have endured. We are not asking Lebanon to abandon its sovereignty or compromise legitimate national security interests. We are asking for reform that distinguishes genuine security threats from peaceful civilian relationships.
We urge the United States to:
1. Make legal reform a diplomatic priority.
Raise the 1955 Israel Boycott Law and related restrictions directly with Lebanese leadership and encourage a clear commitment to reform.
2. Support action through Lebanon’s constitutional process.
Encourage President Joseph Aoun, relevant officials, and members of Parliament to pursue the legislative steps necessary to repeal or reform the law.
3. Protect peaceful civilian engagement.
Advocate for a clear distinction between legitimate national security concerns and peaceful activities such as music, cultural exchange, education, humanitarian service, and dialogue.
4. Support a sovereign and secure Lebanon.
Strengthen Lebanon’s legitimate state institutions and its ability to protect its people, while encouraging diplomacy that can reduce hostility and support regional stability.
5. Give future generations a different future.
Support reforms that allow Lebanese people to pursue peaceful relationships without disproportionate fear of prosecution, punishment, or exclusion from their homeland.
We are not asking the United States to dictate Lebanon’s future. We are asking American leadership to support the Lebanese people’s ability to shape a future beyond permanent hostility.
If Our President Is Afraid, We the People Are Not
If our president is afraid to take the steps necessary for peace, we the people are not afraid to raise our voices.
We love Lebanon. We want our country to be sovereign, secure, and free to build a better future. We refuse to let fear and outdated laws determine what our children can hope for.
We do not ask Lebanon to forget its history, surrender its security, or abandon its dignity. We ask for the freedom to pursue peaceful relationships without being treated as enemies simply for reaching out to people across a border.
President Trump and Secretary Rubio, please stand with the Lebanese people who dare to choose peace. Use your diplomatic influence to encourage President Joseph Aoun and the Lebanese Parliament to take meaningful action.
We are not asking for war or surrender. We are asking for freedom, dignity, and the courage to choose peace.
Lebanon and Israel do not have to remain prisoners of history. Our children deserve a future beyond hatred, fear, and division. A strong Lebanon can protect its people while allowing peaceful dialogue. Government diplomacy and relationships between ordinary citizens can work together to build lasting stability.
The first step is to remove legal barriers that prevent people from pursuing peaceful engagement.
Help us reform this law. Help Lebanon choose peace. Help us build a better future for our people.
We call on President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make this issue part of their diplomatic engagement with Lebanon and to support Lebanese-led legal reform that opens the door to peaceful civilian engagement.
Please sign and share this petition in support of legal reform, peaceful dialogue, and a future of understanding, freedom, and dignity for the Lebanese and Israeli people.
Petition initiated by Carine Bassili
90
The Issue
Dear President Trump and Secretary Rubio,
President Trump, your leadership has demonstrated that even the deepest conflicts can have a path toward peace. We ask you to use your diplomatic influence to help the Lebanese people move beyond laws that perpetuate hostility and prevent peaceful relationships between Lebanese and Israeli citizens.
For decades, Lebanon and Israel have endured conflict, mistrust, and suffering. Lebanon’s sovereignty and national security must be protected. But our painful history should not condemn future generations to permanent hostility.
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the ability to communicate freely and openly with people from all nations is paramount, especially for fostering peace and mutual understanding.
Lebanon’s 1955 Israel Boycott Law and related legal restrictions can expose Lebanese citizens to serious consequences for peaceful contact or cooperation with Israelis, including through music, culture, humanitarian work, education, and dialogue.
Peace cannot be built if ordinary people are punished for reaching across borders.
We are asking you to help Lebanon take a meaningful step toward a future in which security and peace can exist together.
A Voice for Lebanese People Who Choose Peace
My name is Carine Bassili. I am a Lebanese singer and peace advocate. In 2021, I collaborated with Israeli musician Yair Levi on Refa Na, a song of healing and prayer. My decision to create music with an Israeli artist had serious consequences for my ability to return to my homeland.
I did not make music to provoke conflict. I made music to express faith, healing, and the hope that Lebanese and Israeli people can live in peace.
My story is not isolated. Other Lebanese-born individuals and advocates have experienced displacement, legal challenges, or serious barriers connected to their histories, public statements, or engagement concerning Israel.
Their stories include:
Maryam Younes — A Lebanese-born Christian who relocated to Israel with her family in 2000 and has spoken publicly about displacement, her Lebanese identity, and the difficulties surrounding a possible return to Lebanon.
Jonathan Elkhoury — A Lebanese-born Christian who moved to Israel with his family in 2001 and has become a public speaker and advocate addressing minority rights, Israel, and the experiences of Lebanese people living in Israel.
Maria Maalouf — A Lebanese journalist whose reported legal case has raised concerns about the consequences of public engagement involving Israel and criticism of Hezbollah.
Joumana Gebara (also reported as Jabbara) — A Lebanese activist reported to have faced legal proceedings connected to statements concerning Israel.
Dr. Ahmad Yassine — A Lebanese academic and activist reported to have faced legal proceedings involving allegations related to Israel.
Antoun Sehnaoui — A Lebanese banker whose reported judicial scrutiny has raised questions about the consequences of public engagement involving Israeli figures.
Kinda al-Khatib — A Lebanese activist prosecuted in 2020 in a case involving allegations of collaboration with Israel and subsequently released on appeal in 2021.
These individuals have different backgrounds and legal circumstances. They illustrate the need for careful examination of laws and practices that may restrict peaceful engagement or impose disproportionate consequences.
No Lebanese citizen should have to choose between loving their homeland and believing that peace with Israel is possible.
A Call for Leadership and Legislative Reform
We respectfully call on President Trump and Secretary Rubio to make the reform of Lebanon’s Israel Boycott Law a subject of diplomatic engagement with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the Lebanese Parliament.
We recognize Lebanon’s complex political realities, its security concerns, and the suffering its people have endured. We are not asking Lebanon to abandon its sovereignty or compromise legitimate national security interests. We are asking for reform that distinguishes genuine security threats from peaceful civilian relationships.
We urge the United States to:
1. Make legal reform a diplomatic priority.
Raise the 1955 Israel Boycott Law and related restrictions directly with Lebanese leadership and encourage a clear commitment to reform.
2. Support action through Lebanon’s constitutional process.
Encourage President Joseph Aoun, relevant officials, and members of Parliament to pursue the legislative steps necessary to repeal or reform the law.
3. Protect peaceful civilian engagement.
Advocate for a clear distinction between legitimate national security concerns and peaceful activities such as music, cultural exchange, education, humanitarian service, and dialogue.
4. Support a sovereign and secure Lebanon.
Strengthen Lebanon’s legitimate state institutions and its ability to protect its people, while encouraging diplomacy that can reduce hostility and support regional stability.
5. Give future generations a different future.
Support reforms that allow Lebanese people to pursue peaceful relationships without disproportionate fear of prosecution, punishment, or exclusion from their homeland.
We are not asking the United States to dictate Lebanon’s future. We are asking American leadership to support the Lebanese people’s ability to shape a future beyond permanent hostility.
If Our President Is Afraid, We the People Are Not
If our president is afraid to take the steps necessary for peace, we the people are not afraid to raise our voices.
We love Lebanon. We want our country to be sovereign, secure, and free to build a better future. We refuse to let fear and outdated laws determine what our children can hope for.
We do not ask Lebanon to forget its history, surrender its security, or abandon its dignity. We ask for the freedom to pursue peaceful relationships without being treated as enemies simply for reaching out to people across a border.
President Trump and Secretary Rubio, please stand with the Lebanese people who dare to choose peace. Use your diplomatic influence to encourage President Joseph Aoun and the Lebanese Parliament to take meaningful action.
We are not asking for war or surrender. We are asking for freedom, dignity, and the courage to choose peace.
Lebanon and Israel do not have to remain prisoners of history. Our children deserve a future beyond hatred, fear, and division. A strong Lebanon can protect its people while allowing peaceful dialogue. Government diplomacy and relationships between ordinary citizens can work together to build lasting stability.
The first step is to remove legal barriers that prevent people from pursuing peaceful engagement.
Help us reform this law. Help Lebanon choose peace. Help us build a better future for our people.
We call on President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make this issue part of their diplomatic engagement with Lebanon and to support Lebanese-led legal reform that opens the door to peaceful civilian engagement.
Please sign and share this petition in support of legal reform, peaceful dialogue, and a future of understanding, freedom, and dignity for the Lebanese and Israeli people.
Petition initiated by Carine Bassili
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Petition created on October 16, 2026