Protesters target US Embassy over "Israel΄s" Gaza rampage

Source: Daily Star, 06-01-2009
Starbucks also under pressure over chain's Zionist owner

BEIRUT: On the streets of Beirut, anger at "Israel's" continuing military operations in the Gaza Strip is steadily rising. It could just be the cold weather, but the number of people donning the Palestinian keffiyeh around the capital seems to have grown since "Israel" launched its first air strikes on December 27. Since then more than 530 Palestinians have been killed, 25 per cent of them civilians, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. Five "Israelis", including two soldiers, have also been killed.

In the latest protest to take place, some 500 demonstrators mobilized by the Democratic Youth Union marched on Monday toward the US Embassy in Awkar, north of Beirut. Carrying Lebanese and Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against both Washington and Arab regimes judged to be unsupportive of Gaza, the protesters demanded the sacking of US Ambassador Michele Sison.

The area surrounding the embassy was cordoned off with barbed wire by the Internal Security Forces (ISF) and the demonstrators could only get as far as the Sfeir pharmacy, 1 kilometer away. Police fired water canons in a bid to disperse protesters throwing sticks, and trying to get through the barbed wire. The demonstration was a continuation from one on Sunday, when five protesters and one policemen sustained light injuries after tear gas and water canons were fired into the crowds.

On Sunday night, a small crowd held a vigil outside Starbucks coffee shop in Hamra and distributed leaflets informing passersby that "every cup of coffee drunk by the consumer went to support the Zionist state." Starbucks, whose chairman Howard Shultz is an outspoken Zionist, has repeatedly come under fire for its close links to "Israel".

"I think it's disgusting," university student Karma said of ‘Israel's' assaults. "More than 500 Palestinians have died and no one is saying a word. ‘Israel' knows it can get away with anything - it got away with the war [in Lebanon] in 2006 and it has gotten away with the occupation of Palestine for 60 years."

Agreeing with her was Grace, who said "Israel" "purposefully" targeted civilians. "This is not a surprise for the Lebanese because our civilians were also targeted," she said in reference to the 2006 war in which over 1,200 Lebanese were killed, the great majority of them civilians.

Karma said she would participate in upcoming protests or vigils in Beirut but was pessimistic activists could persuade world leaders to push for a cease-fire. Nonetheless, "we have to make our voices heard so the people of Gaza know that even if politicians aren't with them, the people are."
While everyone approached by The Daily Star said they sympathized with the Gazan people, many also feared the violence could spark a renewed conflict in Lebanon. "I'm scared the war will spread here," said Lina. "I'm traveling soon for work and I'm packing for two extra weeks - I'm afraid that when I try to return to Beirut, the airport will be closed."

Her fears were echoed by Youssef, who said "Israel" might be encouraged by the silence of the international community. "I think there is a real possibility of conflict here," he said. "Remember that in 2006 "Israel" launched a similar offensive in Gaza before it invaded Lebanon. Anything is possible now, especially with the silence of politicians who are in effect giving "Israel" the green light to do whatever she wants."

Friends Bsharra and Andres said they were wary of Hizbullah launching an attack on "Israel". "The violence could spread here if Hizbullah decides to support [Palestinian Islamist group] Hamas," said Bsharra. "There are minorities here with their own interests," Andres agreed.

Grace meanwhile thought it was unlikely a Lebanese party would initiate another conflict with "Israel". "We do have a large Palestinian presence though and the "Israelis" might use them as an excuse to start a war here," she said in reference to the 400,000 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
On Monday, Information Minister Tarek Mitri said the country's Palestinians population had not taken any action that could "threaten stability in the camps or the country."