23 Years Later, Sabra and Shatila Remembered

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

--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





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