Since Ari Lesser’s video “Hamas” was posted to YouTube on Sept. 8, almost 90,000 have viewed it.
Events that happened in Israel over the summer inspired a musical collaboration between Scot Jay, a Cedarhurst native who produces films and videos, and Lesser, a rap artist from Cleveland, Ohio.
When Lesser created another video, “Boycott Israel,” a year ago, also posted on YouTube, it caught Jay’s attention. Currently at about 290,000 views, that music video discusses that if someone were to boycott Israel, there are several other countries throughout the world that would also merit the same treatment.
“When I saw this video, I thought he was an amazing artist,” Jay said. “I really wanted to work with him. When we had the chance to film ‘Hamas,’ we decided to just shoot in New York City. I said, ‘Let’s get a camera and bang something out.’”
Lesser, 27, spent time in Israel as a student and has enjoyed his time growing as a rapper and entertainer. He happened to be near the Five Towns when Jay contacted him to do the video. They decided that shooting “Hamas” would be best if filmed at the pro-Israel rally held in Union Square in the city last month.