SYDNEY, 15 November 2024: In an unprecedented move and in the lead up to a day of solidarity with protests, rallies and vigils expected to be held on 24 November in cities across the world, members of the worldwide Lebanese diaspora this week launched a global campaign, united under one clear message – HANDS OFF LEBANON!
Australia will kick-off the global action with Sydney holding a vigil in the heart of the Lebanese diaspora community in the city’s west, with Adelaide and Melbourne holding similar gatherings on the same day. Protests in Paris, Berlin, London, New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Montreal and others, will follow as the wave of Lebanese activism spreads around the world.
“The global Lebanese diaspora felt compelled to join forces to show a united stance against the “systematic and brutal Israeli aggression that flagrantly violates the rules of international humanitarian law and egregiously disregards the most basic human rights without deterrence or accountability,” said Daizy Gedeon, a award-winning filmmaker, journalist and human rights advocate, who is heading the activities in Australia.
“We demand all foreign forces, powers, aggressors and violators of Lebanon’s sovereignty, including Israel, Iran, Syria, the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, and any other foreign entities, end their interference in our internal affairs and using our homeland as a battleground for their own conflicts,” Gedeon said.
The five key demands of the global Lebanese diaspora are:
- Immediate ceasefire and disengagement from Gaza, and a return to the Armistice Agreement with Israel of 1949.
- Implementation of UN Resolution 1701 in its entirety, without any equivocation or procrastination.
- Deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces across all Lebanese territory, and restricting military weapons to the LAF and national security personnel only.
- Election of a president of the republic, and the formation of a rescue government.
- The return of all displaced citizens to their cities and villages.
Gedeon recently returned to Sydney after escaping the ruthless Israeli bombardment that has killed more than 3,400 men, women and children, injured over 13,000 and resulted in the destruction of more than 37 entire villages and thousands of buildings, homes and ancient and historical structures including churches and mosques.
“As a member of the Australian and global Lebanese diaspora, whose history dates back more than 130 years and has contributed greatly to modern Australian society through such historic figures as former Wallabies captain and Lord Mayor of Sydney, Sir Nicholas Shehadie, former NSW Governor Marie Bashir, business tycoon John Symonds, former Wallabies coach Michael Cheka and many, many more, we are deeply disappointed with the lack of any real action or condemnation by our Australian Government to the violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and unchecked bombardment of civilian and historic areas by Israel,” Gedeon said.
“The symbolism of aligning this global event with Lebanon’s actual Independence Day on November 22nd, is to remind the world that Lebanon is a sovereign nation, a founding member of the United Nations and signatory to all the Geneva Conventions. In fact, it was Lebanon’s Ambassador to the UN, Charles Malik, who was instrumental in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and succeeded Eleanor Roosevelt as the Chair of the UN Human Rights Commission.
“Lebanon is a nation steeped in humanity and justice and for our country and people to be denied their sovereign rights, which has been the case for decades, but much more pronounced now, is intolerable, unacceptable and must be stopped.
“The issue in Lebanon and Gaza right now is at the heart and in the minds of every human being around the globe, as it involves the right to life, dignity and peace. The vigil is our way of calling for support for these fundamental rights through a coordinated and peaceful approach, but we are also seeking a long-term solution to the protracted issues in the Middle East that continue to draw Lebanon into their fire and destabilise our country.”
The vigil will be held at the Holroyd Gardens, Corner of Pitt St & Walpole St, Merrylands, on Sunday 24 November 2024, from 4pm to 6pm.
