UN ESCWA HQ, Beirut
As the latest Zionist aggression continues unabated in its slaughter of the defenseless population of Gaza (for the fourth time in ten years, no less!) one of course might simply sit back and hope for the improbable--that the global community will act to end it. But this is no more likely, and maybe even less so, than have been the prospects for bringing justice to Palestine through the never-ending "peace process" of the past 40 years. Persistent Resistance, in its countless forms, is the only thing that will achieve dignity, an end to the occupation, and the right of full return for nearly nine million Palestinians.
As history instructs, the Zionist colonial enterprise had its apologists in Lebanon well before 1948. In fact, there are still plenty around today, yet at the same time, it must be said that the latest 'lawn mowing' in Gaza has generated an unusual amount of verbal support for Palestine across the political spectrum here.
A couple of examples. On 7/21/14 the program "Palestine--You Are Not Alone" was broadcast simultaneously on all of Lebanon's main television channels in an expression of support for Palestinians facing the Zionist aggression that to date has killed nearly 900 and maimed or wounded more than 4500. The Lebanon TV initiative brought together for the first time networks with radically different views, including the official TeleLiban, Hezbollah's Al-Manar, LBC, MTV, NBN and others. Lara Zaaloum, executive director of LBC's news show, said the 30-minute report was "the fruit of a shared effort" that aims to "salute the Palestinians and their children."
Even Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, son-in-law of Michel Aoun of the Free Patriotic Movement (both men are known for their anti-Palestinian and anti-Syrian-refugee rants), claimed a desire to have Lebanese diplomats work for a formal condemnation of the Israeli aggression. According to Beirut's As Safir newspaper, Bassil is preparing a "legal study" that will be sent to the concerned international bodies documenting Israeli crimes in Gaza.
Then on 7/23/14, the March 14 Al-Mustaqbal (Future Movement) parliamentary bloc organized a well-attended solidarity press conference of MPs in the garden outside the office of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in Downtown Beirut.
"We are here to tell the world that we are standing by Gaza, by every Palestinian, and by occupied Palestine whose land has been ravished," said former Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora. "Your wounds are ours, and you are fighting on the behalf of all of us. We do not forget the Palestinian people's right for freedom, dignity and peaceful living."
Others have also spoken up, including Hezbollah Secretary General Hassah Nasrallah.
"Hezbollah will stand with the Palestinian people's uprising and whose resistance is in our heart, willpower, hope and destiny," said Nasrallah on 7/19/14--and on Al Quds day, 7/25/14, Hezbollah was to hold a rally at which Nasrallah is scheduled speak yet again on the need for solidarity with Palestinian refugees. Many from Lebanon's camps will be attending that event because in the camps Hezbollah's words are listened to--they have been for the last quarter century, ever since the party announced its existence, pledging in an "Open Letter" to seek dignity for all Palestinians everywhere and to improve their daily lives.
Not to be outdone, Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani vowed that the Islamic Republic will also do all in its power to help the Palestinians.
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