Demonstrators in downtown Beirut: no new year celebrations amidst war!

By Al Mayadeen English
1 Jan 2024 03:27

Demonstrators express their refusal to partake in joyous celebrations as their kinswomen and kinsmen fall victim to the Israeli war machine.

Demonstrators Martyr's Square hold up a sign reading "Phosphorus Bombs in the south, and fireworks in Beirut", December 31 2023 (AP)

Martyr's Square in central downtown Beirut, which annually teems with celebrations on New Year's Eve, was taken by a grim scene this year as locals took to the streets denouncing the US-sponsored Israeli aggression against Gaza and South Lebanon during the holidays.

Demonstrators expressed their refusal to partake in joyous celebrations as their kinswomen and kinsmen fall victim to the Israeli war machine.

Criticizing the lack of empathy and dissociation, demonstrators adorning Koufiyyeh scarves held up signs that cynically read: "Phosphorus bombs in the South [of Lebanon], fireworks in Beirut."

♦️مسيرة حاشدة بساحة الشهداء في العاصمة اللبنانية بيروت دعماً لغزة
A massive march in Martyrs’ Square in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in support of Gaza pic.twitter.com/KFOdeZ7n0b
— Suribelle 🔻 (@Syribelle) January 1, 2024

Demonstrators echoed anti-zionist and anti-imperialist chants as well as chants emphasizing solidarity between the revolutionary people of Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen in their struggle against Zionist colonialism and in support of the Palestenian people.

"From Beirut, we extend our salutes to the Yemeni rockets," demonstrators chanted.

Earlier today, a massive popular demonstration took place outside the US Embassy in the Tunisian capital Tunis in support of the people of Gaza and their Resistance and condemnation of the ongoing Israeli aggression.

Demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag, called for an end to the Israeli aggression on the besieged Strip, and demanded the expulsion of the US ambassador from the country over Washington's political and military role in supporting the Israeli occupation in its genocidal crimes against Gazans.

Speaking to Al Mayadeen, one of the demonstrators called for ending the aggression according to the conditions set by the Palestinian Resistance, denouncing any sort of neutrality regarding the Palestinian cause.

The demonstrators praised the Yemeni stance in support of Gaza and the operations of the Yemeni Armed Forces in the Red Sea against Israeli and Israeli-bound vessels.