Right-Wing Israelis Knock Tel Aviv For ‘Enemy Flag’ Display Supporting Lebanon

TOPLINE

The government of the city of Tel Aviv on Wednesday announced it would light up City Hall with the Lebanese flag in solidarity with Beirut following Tuesday’s deadly explosions, drawing backlash from some Israelis who point out the two nations are still technically at war. 

KEY FACTS

Key Background 

Israel and Lebanon are long-time enemies that are still officially at war. They do not have diplomatic relations. Israel occupied portions of southern Lebanon after their 1982 war, withdrawing from the last part, a nine-mile strip on the border, in 2000. In the summer of 2006 Israel and Hezbollah, a Shiite militant group that shares power in Lebanon’s government, fought a 34-day war ending in the destruction of large parts of Lebanon and the death of 1,100 Lebanese and 55 Israelis. Since then, both countries have tried to avoid a similar conflict. 

Chief Critic 

Israel’s Former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked said that City Hall should’ve been lit up in orange, the color associated with opponents of the Gaza disengagement. “Instead, we got a flag of an enemy state.” 

Quick Tangent 

The Beirut explosions came days before a United Nations-backed tribunal was supposed to announce a verdict in the trial of four operatives tied to Hezbollah who have been accused of killing Prime Minister Rafik Hariri along with 21 others in a 2005 car bombing. The ruling, previously scheduled for Friday, has now been moved to August 18. 

Further Reading

“Lebanon To Arrest Beirut Port Officials After Ammonium Nitrate Explosion” (Forbes) 

“Two Large Explosions Rip Through Beirut, Killing At Least 100 And Injuring Thousands” (Forbes)

“‘A Real Catastrophe’: Beirut Blast Death Toll Expected To Rise As Search For Survivors Continues” (Forbes)

“What Is Ammonium Nitrate And Why Did It Devastate Beirut?” (Forbes)