23 Years Later, Sabra and Shatila Remembered

ADC Press Release:
23 Years Later, Sabra and Shatila Remembered
http://www.adc.org/index.php?id=2593

Washington, DC, September 15, 2005--September 16, marks 23 years since one
of the bloodiest and most brutal massacres in recent history, the 1982
massacre of Palestinian refugees in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps.

Twenty-three years ago, shortly after the Israeli army seized control of
West Beirut, Lebanon, right wing Phalangist militia forces, under the
direction of Israeli forces, made their way into the Palestinian refugee
camps of Sabra and Shatila located on the outskirts of the city. Once in the
camps the militias massacred hundreds of defenseless men, women and
children.

Israeli troops, who were in control of the area, allowed the militias into
the camps, prevented the refugees from fleeing for their lives, and lit the
night sky with a continuous series of flares as the killing raged for two
days. The US had pulled its troops out of Beirut just days prior to the
massacres, and had given a guarantee of protection to the residents of the
refugee camps.

Following massive outrage and protest from the international community as
well as from Israeli citizens, the Israeli government formed The Kahan
Commision of Inquiry. The Commission found that Israel was responsible for
participating in the violence and recommended the dismissal of the Army
Chief of Staff. Rafual Eitan. Then Defense Minister Ariel Sharon was also
forced to resign after the Commission concluded that he bore personal
responsibility for the massacre, and should never hold public office again.

Sharon is now the Prime Minister of Israel.

ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said, "September 16 marks a very dark day in
history. While we stop to remember the victims of the massacre, we should
also think about the survivors and the millions of Palestinian refugees
still living in refugee camps. On this sad day, we should reiterate our
calls for a just and lasting peace to the ongoing conflict ."

To learn more, see the BBC's documentary on the Sabra and Shatila massacre:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/audiovideo/programmes/panorama/1381328.stm

___________________________________________

ADC's Delegation Remembers Sabra and Shatila
http://www.adc.org/index.php?id=2594

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) sent a nine-member
delegation to Lebanon, accompanied by ADC Organizing Director Nabil Mohamad,
to participate in a week of events remembering the Sabra and Shatila
massacre. The delegation left on September 12 and plans to return on
September 19.

Delegations representing countries from all over the world are participating
in the fifth Remembrance Week. While ADC has always been involved in Sabra
and Shatila remembrance events, this year marks the first time ADC has sent
a delegation representing the United States to take part in the "Remembrance
Week." This week of event is organized by various Palestinian and Lebanese
NGOs working with the Palestinian population in Lebanon.

The US delegation includes Americans who come from a wide different
backgrounds and careers. According to Nabil Mohamad, "The purpose of the
trip is to express solidarity with the past sufferings and the current
plight of Palestinian refugees, but most of all, it is a way to build
bridges of activism and communication between communities in Lebanon and
across the world." Mohamad added, "By reaching out to new and different
communities, we hope to continue raising awareness."

He continued by saying that the delegation will meet with the different
Palestinian and Lebanese NGOs working in Palestinian refugees camps in order
to better understand the role they play in those communities. Some of the
planned events include a number of cultural activities and exchanges such as
meeting with representatives from Lebanese and Palestinian NGOs, visiting
Palestinian refugee camps (including Sabra and Shatila), participating in
exhibits and concerts at the UNESCO Palace, touring historic sites, and
meeting with Lebanese officials and leaders.

The Sabra and Shatila massacre that claimed the lives of approximately 1,000
Palestinian refugees, including women and children, is marked on September
16.
_______________________________________________

Washington, DC, Screening of BBC's "The Accused"
http://www.adc.org/index.php?id=2595

ADC's Washington, DC, Area Chapter and the Palestine Center

invite you to a screening of

The Accused
A BBC Panorama Production (45 min.)

in memory of the September 1982 massacre of Palestinians in the Sabra and
Shatila refugee camps

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/audiovideo/programmes/panorama/1381328.stm


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