Today's Demonstration
PRESS RELEASE
please circulate widely
Lebanese NGOs and citizens gather under the threat of the Israeli bombs to say stop the bloodshed now
Beirut, July 20, 2006 – This morning more than 300 Lebanese civil society and citizens organized a rally in downtown Beirut to strongly demand an immediate ceasefire. This rally took place while Israel continues its collective punishment of the Lebanese people by bombing civilians and infrastructure (1), and holding the whole country under siege.
The rally started in front of the UN building in downtown Beirut, and ended at the European Union (EU) house on Port Avenue. During which, various signs where held up that condemned the Israeli attacks and the US support for such atrocities. Some of these signs read “4 Million Lebanese Hostages”, “End the Siege Now“, and “300 civilians dead “. The group of civil society organizations, which organized the rally and call themselves “For Life”, submitted a memo to the UN secretary General and the EU in which they demanded for ceasefire in sympathy with the innocent civilians and what is left of lives in the country.
Gilbert Doumit, a “For Life” spokesperson declared, “by killing civilians, Israel is violating international regulations and the UN Human Rights Declaration with its attack.” Up till now more than 300 civilians have been killed, 1000 injured, and half a million have been forced to leave their homes and are living in tragic conditions.
Wael Hmaidan, another “For Life” spokesperson said, “We are not taking a political stand. We are acting purely on humanitarian basis, and what is happening is a crime against humanity.”
As of nine days ago, Lebanon has been held under siege by Israel, who have blocked all movements by land, air and sea, threatening to strangulate the whole country. “Things are going from bad to worse, and the world is hardly aware of the extent of the atrocities that are being committed against the Lebanese people.” Hmaidan added, “Attacks should stop now.”
For more information: Gilbert Doumit (+961-3-227673) and
Wael Hmaidan (+961-3-506313), email: whmaidan@care2.com
Notes to editor:
(1)The systematic destruction of the Lebanese infrastructure and economy has included our airport, all major bridges, roads and highways, water tanks, fuel and gas depots, wheat and grain silos, food storage facilities, ports, communication posts, electrical power plants, civil service centers, and army posts and barracks (despite the fact that the Lebanese army has not been engaged in this conflict).
please circulate widely
Lebanese NGOs and citizens gather under the threat of the Israeli bombs to say stop the bloodshed now
Beirut, July 20, 2006 – This morning more than 300 Lebanese civil society and citizens organized a rally in downtown Beirut to strongly demand an immediate ceasefire. This rally took place while Israel continues its collective punishment of the Lebanese people by bombing civilians and infrastructure (1), and holding the whole country under siege.
The rally started in front of the UN building in downtown Beirut, and ended at the European Union (EU) house on Port Avenue. During which, various signs where held up that condemned the Israeli attacks and the US support for such atrocities. Some of these signs read “4 Million Lebanese Hostages”, “End the Siege Now“, and “300 civilians dead “. The group of civil society organizations, which organized the rally and call themselves “For Life”, submitted a memo to the UN secretary General and the EU in which they demanded for ceasefire in sympathy with the innocent civilians and what is left of lives in the country.
Gilbert Doumit, a “For Life” spokesperson declared, “by killing civilians, Israel is violating international regulations and the UN Human Rights Declaration with its attack.” Up till now more than 300 civilians have been killed, 1000 injured, and half a million have been forced to leave their homes and are living in tragic conditions.
Wael Hmaidan, another “For Life” spokesperson said, “We are not taking a political stand. We are acting purely on humanitarian basis, and what is happening is a crime against humanity.”
As of nine days ago, Lebanon has been held under siege by Israel, who have blocked all movements by land, air and sea, threatening to strangulate the whole country. “Things are going from bad to worse, and the world is hardly aware of the extent of the atrocities that are being committed against the Lebanese people.” Hmaidan added, “Attacks should stop now.”
For more information: Gilbert Doumit (+961-3-227673) and
Wael Hmaidan (+961-3-506313), email: whmaidan@care2.com
Notes to editor:
(1)The systematic destruction of the Lebanese infrastructure and economy has included our airport, all major bridges, roads and highways, water tanks, fuel and gas depots, wheat and grain silos, food storage facilities, ports, communication posts, electrical power plants, civil service centers, and army posts and barracks (despite the fact that the Lebanese army has not been engaged in this conflict).
posted by zena at 4:57 PM
4 Comments:
article 33 of the Geneva convention is being violated daily....
we stand against such brutal acts
all the love to Lebanon, and the children of lebanon
......
our hearts go out to you.
Be strong.
prayers from Kuwait
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
I am glad that you are organizing. A non-violent resistance is what will hold the sophisticated weapons of Israel in its tracks. I had a dream of thousands of students walking toward the South of Lebanon in an amazing show of solidarity and resistance. As the event was covered by the world's media, Israel had no choice but to admit its humilating defeat by justice and humanity. An idealistic vision for sure but it has been done before...
So keep up the great work.
In solidarity, Mel
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