Call to join a campaign of civil resistance to Israel’s war

August 9, 2006
Lebanon: An Open Country for Civil Resistance> www.lebanonsolidarity.org

This is the first press release for the Campaign of
Resistance, a coalition of over 200 Lebanese NGOs
and civic organizations. We, the people of Lebanon, call upon the local and international community to join a
campaign of civil resistance to Israel’s war against
our country and our people. We declare Lebanon an
open country for civil resistance. The aim of this
campaign is to provide relief for civilians in South Lebanon, live in solidarity with them, and work for the
immediate return of internally displaced citizens to
their homes in the South. If their homes are no
longer standing, then t he Lebanese government, United
Nations, Red Cross, and others, should provide
assistance to our citizens on their own land - not
scattered across the entire country.

It is our hope that this campaign will not only
provide a measure of justice to displaced and
distressed Lebanese citizens, but will also
contribute to an immediate ceasefire, and an end to the
continuing destruction of Lebanon. The first
Citizen’s Convoy will leave for South Lebanon on Saturday,
August 12.

For interviews and more information, please contact:

Rasha Salti +961 3 970855
convois.citoyens.sud.liban@gmail.com

Huwaida Arraf +961 70 974452
huwaidaa@riseup.net
Samah Idriss +961 3 381349
Wadih Al Asmar +961 70 950780

BEIRUT—On August 12, a t 7 am, Lebanese from
throughout the country and international supporters
who have come to Lebanon to express solidarity will
gather in Martyr’s Square in Beirut to form a
civilian convoy to the south of Lebanon. Hundreds of
Lebanese and international civilians will express their
solidarity with the inhabitants of the heavily destroyed south who have been bravely withstanding> the assault of the Israeli military. This campaign is endorsed by more than 200 Lebanese and international organizations. This growing coalition of national and international non-governmentallaunches a campaign of civil resistance for the
purpose of challenging the cruel and ruthless use of massive military force by Israel, the regional
superpower, upon the people of Lebanon.

August 12 marks the start o f this Campaign of
Resistance, declaring Lebanon an Open Country for
Civil Resistance. August 12 also marks both the
international day of protest against the Israeli
aggression.

“In the face of Israel’s systematic killing of our> people, the indiscriminate bombing of our towns, the> scorching of our villages, and the attempted
destruction of our civil infrastructure, we say No!

In the face of the forced expulsion of a quarter of our> population from their homes throughout Lebanon, and
the complicity of governments and international> bodies, we re-affirm the acts of civil resistance> that began from the first day of the Israeli assault, and
we stress and add the urgent need to act!,” said
Rasha > Salti, one of the organizers of this national event.

After August 12, the campaign will continue with a
series of civil actions, leading to an August 19
civilian march to reclaim the South. “Working
together, in solidarity, we will overcome the
complacency, inaction, and complicity of the
international community and we will deny Israel its
goal of removing Lebanese from their land and
destroying the fabric of our country,” explained
Samah Idriss, writer and co-organizer of this campaign

“An international civilian presence in Lebanon is
not only an act of solidarity with the Lebanese people in the face of unparalleled Israeli aggression, it is
an act of moral courage to defy the will of those who
would seek to alienate the West from the rest and
create a new Middle East out of the rubble and blood
of the region,” said Huwaida Arraf, co-founder of
the International Solidarity Movement and campaign
co-organizer. “After having witnessed the wholesale
destruction of villages by Israel’s air force and
navy and having visited the victims (so-called displaced)
from their homes,” continued Arraf, “it is imperative to go south and reach those who have stayed behind to resist by steadfastly remaining on their land.”

If you are in Lebanon and want to sign up and join
the> convoy, contact either:
Rasha Salti
>Tel: +961 3 970 855
convois.citoyens.sud.liban@gmail.com

Rania Masri
Tel: +961 3 135 279 or +961 6 930 250 x5683 / x3933
rania.masri@balamand.edu.lb

www.lebanonsolidarity.org

This campaign is thus far endorsed by more than 200
organizations, including: The Arab NGOs Network for
Development (ANND), International Solidarity
Mo vement (ISM), Cultural Center for Southern Lebanon,
Norwegian People’s Aid, Lebanese Center for Policy Studies, Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections,
Frontiers, Kafa, Nahwa al-Muwatiniya, Spring Hints,
Hayya Bina, Lebanese Transparency Association,> Amam05, Lebanese Center for Civic Education, Let’s Build> Trust, CRTD-A, Solida, National Association for
Vocational Training and Social Services, Lebanese
Development Pioneers, Nadi Li Koul Alnas, and
Lecorvaw.

“The mode of being of the intellectual can no longer consist in eloquence, which is an exterior
and momentary mover of feelings and passions, but in active participation in practical life, as constructor, organizer, ’permanent persuader’ and not just a simple orator” - Gramsci