Grammy Award-winning Israeli violinist Miri Ben-Ari has joined the array of artists who have contributed to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign.
Ben-Ari was chosen to play the national anthem in the Kenzo Hakuta-directed video for “Stand With Me,” alongside Russel Simmons, creator of Def Jam Records.
Ben-Ari enlisted to help Hillary Clinton’s primary bid last year, before the senator stepped down from the race.
Earlier this year pro-Obama video “Yes We can” (by Will.I.Am and the Black Eyed Peas along with dozens of other celebrities) was the toast of the web. An Israeli satiric version of the video for that song was also launched.
“I want to show my support for Obama because I believe in him. In an economic crisis like the one we're experiencing now, we need leadership to bring change in our country (America), to realize the American dream,” explained Ben-Ari.
“The fact that I came to America as a new immigrant, poor and without a family, helped me to better understand and appreciate the American dream."
“I think that a lot of people in the Jewish community haven't interpreted Obama’s comments on Israel right, and therefore they're afraid to show their support for him.
“I believe that Obama is an avid supporter of US-Israeli relations. The strongest ally that the US has in the Middle East is Israel, and Obama committed to its security and to its economic and military needs,” said the musician.
“I couldn’t think of a better approach than the American national anthem. After I heard Jimmy Hendrix’s version I wanted to create a hip-hop version,” said Ben-Ari.
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