Lebanon

Remembering the Scope and Cost of this Disastrous War

This map of the Mediterranean region is an interactive fiber arts project by Boulos Saad.

With so much going on in the world right now it’s really hard to pay attention to it all. And with this disastrous war in Iran ongoing it’s easy to remain fixed on that conflict. But let’s not forget Lebanon, where the war has expanded as the Israeli military unleashes strikes across Southern Lebanon and into Beirut. Over a thousand people have been killed in Lebanon. Israel is employing against Hezbollah the same draconian tactics it uses in Gaza against Hamas, forcing the displacement now of nearly a million civilians who are not Hezbollah fighters but ordinary families trying to live their lives.

in the summer of 2024, the permaculture teaching organization that I direct, Earth Activist Training, was able to support seven amazing Lebanese students to attend our permaculture design course in France. I got to know these creative and committed young people and to understand more of what their lives have been, growing up in the shadow of war after war, suffering the traumas of hyperinflation and the giant explosion of the gas plant in Beirut.

Despite all the violence, our students were focused on projects of regeneration, saving seeds, growing food, helping refugees and trying to build institutions that could create resilience.

Lebanon is a country of rich heritage and great diversity, with strong traditions of both Islam and Christianity. In ancient times, Lebanon was the land of the Phoenicians, the seafaring people who gave us the alphabet and founded the city of Carthage, the great rival to Rome. The cedars of Lebanon, from the mountain forests, were used to build Egyptian Temples and the Temple in Jerusalem. In more recent times, Lebanon was known for its high level of education and sophistication, and Beirut was called the Paris of the Middle East.

Decades of war have taken its toll, yet the people of Lebanon remain strong and resilient. Just as the citizens of Minneapolis organized to resist ICE, in Lebanon people come together to support one another and provide mutual aid for displaced refugees and victims of the bombs. if you would like to help support their work you can donate here to the Lebanon Solidarity Collective, a mutual aid group that came together in 2023 to support those at the forefront of the war.

If you want to keep up with news about the war and the Middle East in general, I recommend Drop Site News. They do an excellent job of covering world affairs and are independent of corporate pressure.

And to counter the wars, the violence, the undermining of democracy and human rights that begins here at home, come out for No Kings Day on Saturday, March 28. We need a massive showing of opposition to Trump’s policies and wars of choice, and No Kings is an important moment to show up! It’s. not all we need—sustained organizing, resistance and non-cooperation will all be required over the long term, but it is a vitally important part! So, if you have other plans, cancel them! Invite a friend. Two friends! Form an affinity group! There are over 3000 actions planned, so wherever you are, here’s where you can find an event near you!

We are living through a terrible time, and the death and destruction of this war are immeasurable. But if we stand together, we can build networks of solidarity across borders that may yet be the foundation of a world of greater justice and peace.

(I know that economically times are tough, and the world is uncertain. That’s why I keep my posts and podcasts free. If you subscribe, you’ll get them in your Inbox regularly. If you can afford to upgrade to a paid subscription, for the cost of about a latte a month, you’ll help keep my time free to write and you’ll be supporting my work and activism. Plus you’ll get added benefits—like a monthly live Community Conversation! The next one is Sunday, April 12 at 10 am Pacific Time.)

This is where I’d usually suggest that if you like the post but don’t want to commit to a subscription, you can Buy Me A Coffee. But today, instead, may I ask you to donate to the Lebanon Solidarity Collective?

f you want to learn more about creating ritual to build community and resilience in these times, I have an online class on Rituals for Resilience starting April 14, at 5:30 PM Pacific Time. By donation, ASL interpreted for the hearing impaired. Here’s all the information!