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In times of war and major conflicts, it is easy to trivialize any historical factor or element, especially when compared to major conflicts that reshape maps and alter the balance of power in regions like the Middle East.
If what has been going on in Gaza since October 7 marks the beginning of a whole different new phase, then the attack on journalists in southern Lebanon, which led to the tragic assassination of our colleague Issam Abdallah and the injury of other colleagues, serves as stark reminder of the political magnitude of this phase.
As we revisit the most significant events in Lebanon, we find that Lebanese journalism has played a role in facilitating change and awakening the free-minded from their slumber to transcend injustice. Although a journalist’s role extends beyond reporting events, attacks on journalists have consistently played a crucial role in reshaping the landscape. Going back to the time before the creation of Greater Lebanon, it’s worth remembering May 6, 1916, when the Ottoman Empire executed journalists in the square that now bears their name, during the reign of the notorious slaughterer, Jamal Pasha. Was this event an infringement on freedom? Most certainly. But wasn’t it also the final straw that broke the camel’s back and burnt the last card of the Ottoman Empire’s rule? It certainly was.
There is no doubt that Beirut had a significant influence on the Arab press in general. Many Arab newspapers and publications either emerged from this capital or were founded by individuals who made their debuts in the heart of Lebanon. By simply skimming through the names of the chief editors of the most influential Arabic publications, one can uncover the crucial role played by Lebanese journalists.
Nonetheless, neither the establishment of the State nor the Declaration of Independence guaranteed the preservation of freedom of opinion, expression and journalism, as evidenced by the media restrictions faced to date. Yet, attacks on the journalistic community always trigger a resounding response, as they prompt a reevaluation of the country’s political direction.
The assassination of Nassib Matni on May 7, 1958, was intricately tied to this matter. The journalist, who opposed President Camille Chamoun, ignited a revolution that even the most powerful Lebanese leaders fell short of preventing. The same goes for the journalist Kamel Mrowa, whose murder in 1966 marked the end of a political phase that served as a kind of ceasefire before the launch of a new era following the Six-Day War of 1967.
Such was the case with the assassinations of journalists. Phases came to an end, new ones began, as assassinations during wartime were equally significant, even though they became an integral part of the overall picture. The post-war era also witnessed the assassinations of journalists, which marked the beginning of various phases and multiple revolutions. The most notable assassinations were those that followed the 2005 period and included Gebran Tueni. The late journalist was both a journalist and a public activist. Equally significant is the fighter May Chidiac and everything she symbolically stood for in the media world. These were pivotal moments that marked a transition from an era of fearing the Syrian regime to an era of fearing for the nation from the vengeful, recoiling regime.
As for the assassination of Samir Kassir, who symbolized Beirut’s Spring and was a passionate advocate for freedom and justice, we ought to remember him, especially in light of the recent passing of his widow, our colleague Giselle Khoury. The assassination of Kassir ignited the spark of Arab liberation.
Today, the assassination of Issam Abdallah in southern Lebanon ignited another spark, one aimed at challenging Israeli control of the global media by depicting everything that occurs as an assault on an innocent State on the part of terrorist groups. This is not currently the case, and the world needs to recognize this in the wake of this assassination.
If every act of eliminating journalists plays a role in shaping the broader political landscape, the killing of Abdallah could signal the end of Israeli victimization and usher in a new era, as it reveals that weeping over the Holocaust from its onset up until today no longer justifies the magnitude of crimes committed against Arab populations.