Civilian Resistance in Lebanon

Silaa, Lebanon: Israel bombed this small community in southern Lebanon during the 33-day Israeli war against Lebanon, and destroyed 35 homes. Eighty-five people are now homeless. The Campaign for Civil Resistance is going to buy a pump so they can pump water; due to the Israeli bombardment, there currently is no running water in this village. The Campaign will also buy a water tank to store water, and are working on getting the resilient villagers donated clothes and food from people throughout Lebanon.

Today, at 5 pm, families are going to gather where their homes once stood for a ceremony of prayer and remembrance.

“It is impossible to beat the people. You can destroy the stones. You can the houses. You can’t destroy the people,” said Abed Deeb Naeem, whose 65 year old father was killed in Silaa.

There are numerous towns like Silaa in the south of Lebanon, and numerous neighborhoods like Silaa in the southern district of Beirut and in Ba’albeck. More than 15,000 residential homes were destroyed during the war, and thousands of other homes are uninhabitable.

Regarding the August 12th Planned Convoy to the South

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contacts:

• Rasha Salti: 03 970855
• Wadih Al Asmar: 70 950780
• Huwaida Arraf: 70 974452 (international contact)

Beirut, August 13 – Marking the passing of a month on Israel’s war unleashed on Lebanon, we, members of civil society that had mobilized from the first days to aid and support the victims of this aggression, launched this Campaign of Civil Resistance. In addition to marking the one-month anniversary of this latest Israeli war against Lebanon, and the anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, (passed August 12, 1949), on August 12, communities around the world protested against the Israeli aggression on Lebanon.

Here, in Lebanon, the first convoy of civilians was to depart on August 12 to the south, whose final destination, pending questions of security on the ground, was to reach Nabatiyeh. The mission of the convoy, as the mission of the campaign, is to mark a stand in solidarity and unity of all the people of Lebanon, to break the siege on the south, and to defy Israel’s policy of forced expulsions, terror and organized massacres of civilians.

We convened on Martyrs’ Square at 7:00 am on August 12th morning. More than 200 people were gathered, supported by more than 50 participants from 19 countries. Fifty cars, carrying more than 250 rations of food and medicines, with more than 15 representatives from the local and international media, proceeded on the path to the south.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2006

On August 12, at 7 am, Lebanese from throughout the country and international supporters who have come to Lebanon to express solidarity will gather in Martyr’s Square in Beirut to form a civilian convoy to the south of Lebanon. Hundreds of Lebanese and international civilians will express their solidarity with the inhabitants of the heavily destroyed south who have been bravely withstanding the assault of the Israeli military. This campaign is endorsed by more than 200 Lebanese and international organizations. This growing coalition of national and international non-governmental organizations hereby launches a campaign of civil resistance for the purpose of challenging the cruel and ruthless use of massive military force by Israel, the regional superpower, upon the people of Lebanon.

August 12 marks the start of this Campaign of Resistance, declaring Lebanon an Open Country for Civil Resistance. August 12 also marks the international day of protest against the Israeli aggression.

“In the face of Israel’s systematic killing of our people, the indiscriminate bombing of our towns, the scorching of our villages, and the attempted destruction of our civil infrastructure, we say No! In the face of the forced expulsion of a quarter of our population from their homes throughout Lebanon, and the complicity of governments and international bodies, we re-affirm the acts of civil resistance that began from the first day of the Israeli assault, and we stress and add the urgent need to act!,” said Rasha Salti, one of the organizers of this national event.

Information de base pour les volontaires:

1. Notre objectif est d’arriver à Tyr avec nos vivres. Selon les conditions et les besoins identifiés samedi, le 12, nous choisirons des villages dépassé Tyr pour une livraison et un contact direct.
2. La route et la destination ultime sera déterminée la nuit précédente avant de partir et en prenant en compte les développements au fur et à mesure qu’ils se produisent. (nous coordonnerons avec des gens sur notre chemin au fur et à mesure que nous avancerons)
3. La protection pour notre convoi est fournie par les conventions internationales, la couverture médiatique, l’accompagnement d’étrangers, mais le voyage est quand même potentiellement dangereux et nous ne pouvons garantir votre sécurité personnelle ou matérielle.
4. Nous regagnons le Sud, pas à pas. Cela veut dire que nous devons être prêts à avancer que les israéliens soient confortables avec ça ou non. Si la route est ciblée, nous arrêterons, contacterons la presse et les agences humanitaires et diplomatiques afin de les informer des conditions de notre déplacement. Nous pourrions choisir de suivre une route alternative.
5. Nous devons respecter la dignité et la sensibilité des gens que nous rejoindrons. Nous allons pour visiter nous compatriotes, et non des victimes. Nous offrons du soutien, pas de la charité. Ce sont eux le coeur de ce voyage, pas nous.
6. Une réunion d’orientation sera organisée pour chaque 5 autos au fur et à mesure que les gens s’inscriront. Une assemblée générale aura lieu vendredi soir, le 11 août (lieu à confirmer).

Download Arabic version (.pdf, 46kb)
Spanish, German versions below
Media contacts and the official Press Release here

Endorse this call for nonviolent action!

We, the people of Lebanon, call upon the local and international community to join a campaign of civil resistance to Israel’s war against our country and our people. We declare Lebanon an open country for civil resistance.

In the face of Israel’s systematic killing of our people, the indiscriminate bombing of our towns, the scorching of our villages, and the attempted destruction of our civil infrastructure, we say NO!

In the face of the forced expulsion of a quarter of our population from their homes throughout Lebanon, and the complicity of governments and international bodies, we re-affirm the acts of civil resistance that began from the first day of the Israeli assault, and we stress and add the urgent need TO ACT!

We urge you to join us in defying Israel’s aggression against our country and in defending the rights of the inhabitants throughout Lebanon, and particularly in the South, to live on their land. When the United Nations, created to preserve peace and security in the world, is paralyzed; when governments become complicit in war crimes, then people must show their strength and rise up. When justice and human rights are scorned, those who care must unite in their defense.