Mohanna: Without justice for the victims of the Palestinian Nakba, there can be no justice in the world and no dignity for humanity
On the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of the Sabra and Shatila massacre, a delegation from the Italian committee “Let Us Not Forget Sabra and Shatila and the Right of Return” visited the permanent solidarity and documentation exhibition launched by Amel Association International in partnership with Beit Atfal Al-Somoud and the committee itself. The exhibition, hosted at Amel’s Human Capacity Development Center in Haret Hreik since 2023, was created to preserve memory and affirm solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
The delegation was received by Dr. Kamel Mohanna, President of Amel Association International and General Coordinator of the Arab and Lebanese Union of NGOs, in the presence of Dr. Qassem Aina, President of Beit Atfal Al-Somoud, alongside local figures and members of the media. The delegation, accompanied by Mr. Bassam Saleh, toured the exhibition, which this year included expressive paintings, theatrical performances about the massacre, and a short documentary film. Discussions also touched on turning the exhibition into a mobile library to carry the memory across generations and countries.
Dr. Mohanna’s Address
In his remarks, Dr. Mohanna welcomed the delegation, recalling:
“Last year, only hours separated your visit to Haret Hreik from the start of a new stage of Israeli aggression against Lebanon. Today, despite all challenges and risks, you return once again to stand with us, embodying true commitment and courage.”
He stressed that the Palestinian cause remains the benchmark of credible humanitarian action, noting that what is taking place in Gaza today—genocide and mass killing—is a continuation of the same massacre and a test of the world’s humanity.
Dr. Mohanna underlined that, compared to the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, the horror of Sabra and Shatila now appears almost “small.” He pointed out that the number of martyrs in Gaza has exceeded 64,000, including more than 20,000 children—more than the number of children killed in both World Wars—while civilians face a systematic starvation policy that has already claimed thousands of lives.
“This is not simply a war,” Mohanna said, “but a comprehensive process of extermination targeting both people and infrastructure—destroying hospitals, schools, and civil defense facilities, while deliberately targeting journalists, doctors, and humanitarian institutions—in blatant violation of all international laws.”
Solidarity Across Borders
Despite the grim scene, Mohanna expressed hope in the new generation of students and activists who are taking to the streets of Western cities and universities—such as Columbia and Paris—chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” He affirmed that Palestine’s revolution has become a symbol of humanity’s collective struggle for liberation.
Reiterating his solidarity with the people of Gaza and the West Bank, as well as Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and the diaspora, Mohanna called for an immediate halt to the famine, war, and acts of genocide. He emphasized that responsibility lies with governments, not humanitarian organizations, and demanded that perpetrators of these crimes be brought before the International Criminal Court. “Condemnations and statements are no longer enough,” he concluded. “What is needed are decisive and firm actions to stop this ongoing massacre.”
Voices from the Delegation
Italian activist Flavio affirmed that the presence of his delegation in Beirut is part of a broader commitment to stand with the Palestinian people—not merely symbolic, but through concrete joint work in media, journalism, and humanitarian fields. He stressed that their activism in Italy continues to inform European and global public opinion about the realities on the ground, while also focusing on pressuring governments to halt arms shipments to Israel.
“The Palestinian cause is not tied to religion, sect, or color,” Flavio said. “It is fundamentally a human cause. The Palestinian people are part of our shared human history, and what they are facing—genocide, destruction, and displacement—is a crime against all of humanity.”
For his part, Dr. Qassem Aina emphasized that the memory of Sabra and Shatila, coinciding with the ongoing extermination of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, “must become a global force of struggle, translated into tangible steps to support the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and to ensure their voice reaches every forum.”
A Crime That Still Echoes
The Italian delegation renewed its commitment to carrying the Palestinian narrative to Europe and beyond, stressing that “Sabra and Shatila and Gaza are not just local tragedies, but universal humanitarian causes demanding urgent action to end impunity and hold Israel accountable for its repeated crimes. Solidarity alone is not enough—what is needed is political and legal action that ends the policy of extermination and restores justice.”
The visit concluded with a powerful message: Sabra and Shatila are not just a memory, but an open wound in the conscience of the world. What is happening in Gaza today is an extension of that same crime. The lesson is clear: no justice without accountability, no dignity without resistance. While the occupation continues its crimes before the eyes of the world, the voices of free peoples—and the steadfast presence of humanitarian institutions such as Amel and Beit Atfal Al-Somoud—remain living witnesses that memory cannot be erased, rights cannot be extinguished, and cross-border solidarity is the path to keeping the Palestinian cause alive in the conscience of humanity.
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