Across the globe, nations have taken efforts to support Paris in their recent tragedy on November 13 at the hands of ISIS. Now, Russia too, has joined in this as they have suffered an attack on October 31. President Hollande openly stated that, “France is at war” and Russia’s leader, Vladimir V. Putin, holds ISIS responsible as he said, “We will search for them everywhere, no matter where they are hiding. We will find them in any place on the planet and will punish them.” As the US forms alliances with these nations in hopes to put an official stop to this radical group, one victim has seemingly been forgotten.
Beirut, Lebanon, a calm neighboring country to Syria who is currently engaged in a civil war, underwent attacks just last week, on November 12. Suicide bombers infiltrated the area during rush hour and took numerous innocent lives, being the worst and most tragic attack to hit the city in many years. At least 43 people were killed and over 220 were wounded. Coverage of this atrocity is scarce. Some natives to Lebanon believe that due to their closeness to Syria and poor status, they have been rendered as irrelevant. Paris saw much support as social media platforms offered options to display France’s flag on their profiles, options for France natives to show their safety to friends and family, and numerous monuments around the world were lit in blue, white, and red; but nothing of the Lebanese flag. Beirut sees none of this type of support. Paris saw this attack as a surprise, it was one that the city hasn’t seen in a significant period of time. To Beirut, this was a reminder that violence is not far from their homes, merely “next door.” Sadly, since the start of the Syrian war in 2011, this is not the first time Beirut, among other Lebanese cities, have seen acts of violence against them. Many feel this lack of coverage in Beirut is due to racism in the sense that Arab lives aren’t as significant as those of the Russians and Parisians. Elie Fares, a doctor in Lebanon wrote, “When my people died, no country bothered to light up its landmarks in the colors of their flag. When my people died, they did not send the world into mourning. Their death was but an irrelevant fleck along the international news cycle, something that happens in those parts of the world."
Over the years, many Syrian refugees have taken shelter in Lebanon, which currently holds the most refugees in the world, 1 million. Regardless of Lebanon’s small size (population of 4 million), they have accepted these refugees. Unfortunately, as of late, Lebanon has been forced to crack down on the amount Syrian refugees they can allow into their country as the Lebanese receives little support from the government. Clearly, these refugees already suffering from being forced to flee their homeland for safety, need a new home, as Lebanon is now placed at risk. The government has been little help in these matters, leaving the people to fend for themselves. “Imagine if what happened in Paris…would happen there on a daily basis for five years. Now imagine all that happening without global sympathy for innocent lost lives, with no special media updates by the minute, and without the support of every world leader condemning the violence. Ask yourself what it would be like to have to explain to your child why an attack in ‘another pretty city like yours’ got worldwide attention and your own did not,” said Nour Kabbach, who fled Syria years ago and works as humanitarian aid in Beirut. The truth to this statement is alarmingly present.
