-Fmr VP Taylor prays for peace and Liberians’ evacuation from Lebanon and Israel, as gov’t announces evacuation plan
By Jerromie S. Walters
In light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Lebanon, and Israel, former Vice President of Liberia, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor, has expressed deep concern for the safety of Liberians residing in the affected regions. In a heartfelt statement, she called upon the global community and the Liberian government to take immediate action to assist Liberians in these conflict zones.
“As the world witnesses the war in Gaza and Lebanon and Isreal, our prayers are lifted to the Master of the World – YESHUA, who alone can calm the raging seas. May He calm the storms and grant that region Peace!”
Dr. Taylor emphasized the plight of the hundreds of Liberians, particularly students, who are currently living and studying in Lebanon and Israel. She made an urgent appeal to the Liberian government to extend support to its citizens in these nations and to consider implementing an evacuation plan for those in danger.
“I am also reminded of the hundreds of Liberians who reside and attend school in that region, especially in Lebanon and Isreal, I make this unconditional plea to the Liberian Government to try and get help to Liberians in both Nations and consider an evacuation plan to have Liberians, especially students removed from the line of fire.”
Her statement is similar to many other world leaders who have heightened the need for immediate humanitarian efforts and underscored the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens abroad. Former Vice President Taylor’s plea comes as a reminder of the interconnectedness of global events and the impact they have on individuals and families far from the epicenter of conflict.
Meanwhile, the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other UN agencies, is reportedly working to coordinate an emergency evacuation of Liberians residing in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut, due to the escalating conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah.
The ongoing hostilities pose a significant threat to the safety and security of our citizens in Lebanon. The Government urges all Liberians with relatives and friends currently in Lebanon to come forward with their names, contact information, and current locations at the Legal section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This information is crucial for us to track and prioritize individuals for evacuation.
Given the urgency of the situation, citizens must respond promptly, as there is limited time to facilitate this operation. While we are currently working with an estimated figure of 50 Liberians, we recognize that there may be additional. Liberians in Lebanon who are not on our profiling and registration lists. We encourage all Liberian citizens to remain calm and patient as we strive to ensure the safe evacuation of all affected individuals, either to a third country of their choosing or back to Liberia. The Government says it remains committed to the safety and well-being of all its citizens abroad. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this critical time.
The conflicts:
The conflict in Gaza, Lebanon, and Israel is rooted in a complex history of territorial disputes, national identities, and religious significance, primarily involving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and broader regional dynamics.
The roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the rise of nationalist movements among both Jews and Arabs in the region known as Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 expressed British support for a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, leading to increased Jewish immigration and tensions with the Arab population.
Following World War II and the Holocaust, international support for the establishment of a Jewish state grew, culminating in the United Nations partition plan in 1947, which proposed dividing Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states.
Establishment of Israel:
In 1948, Israel declared independence, leading to the first Arab-Israeli war. Neighboring Arab states invaded, resulting in significant territorial gains for Israel and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, an event known as the Nakba, or “catastrophe.”
Subsequent wars (1956, 1967, and 1973) further altered the boundaries and dynamics in the region, with Israel capturing the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights.
Gaza Strip:
After the 1967 war, Israel occupied the Gaza Strip until 2005, when it unilaterally withdrew its troops and settlements. However, Israel maintained control over Gaza’s borders, airspace, and maritime access. In 2006, Hamas, an Islamist militant group, won elections in Gaza and subsequently took control of the territory in 2007 after a violent conflict with the rival Fatah party.
Following Hamas’s takeover, Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza, citing security concerns due to Hamas’s attacks on Israeli territory. Since then, there have been several major conflicts between Israel and Hamas, including significant escalations in 2008-2009, 2012, 2014, and more recently in May 2021. These conflicts often involve rocket fire from Gaza into Israel and retaliatory airstrikes by the Israeli military, resulting in high civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza.
Hezbollah’s Role:
In Lebanon, the Shiite militant group Hezbollah emerged in the 1980s, partly as a response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982. Hezbollah has positioned itself as a resistance movement against Israel and has received support from Iran and Syria. The group has engaged in numerous conflicts with Israel, most notably the 2006 Lebanon War, which resulted in extensive damage in Lebanon and significant casualties on both sides.
Hezbollah continues to maintain a significant military presence in southern Lebanon and has been involved in skirmishes with Israeli forces. The group’s influence in Lebanon complicates the political landscape, as it operates both as a political party and a military organization.
Escalation of Violence:
The ongoing tensions often flare into violence, as seen in the recent conflict in May 2021, which was sparked by tensions in East Jerusalem and the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, where Palestinian families faced eviction. The violence quickly escalated into an 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas, resulting in extensive casualties and destruction in Gaza and rocket fire into Israel.
The situation in Gaza and Lebanon is further complicated by broader regional dynamics, including the influence of Iran, the normalization of relations between Israel and some Arab states (such as the UAE and Bahrain), and the ongoing civil war in Syria.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire due to the blockade, economic challenges, and repeated conflicts, leading to calls for international intervention and peace initiatives.
