Journeyman Pictures - Lebanon Features (1997-2000)

Israel's Vietnam? (1997): A look at Israel's war with Lebanon, one which became grossly unpopular with the public. In a graveyard in Tel Aviv, a mother weeps as her soldier son is lowered into his grave. Like so many others he was killed in a Hezbollah attack. For the Jewish State, the defence of the so-called 'security zone' in south Lebanon has been its Vietnam, a thoroughly unpalatable battle in tune with military strategy but not public sentiment. "We no longer want to send our sons off to die in a meaningless war," is the word from typical families. In this report we take a rare look inside the security zone, assessing the possible outcomes should Israel pull out of Lebanon before reaching agreement with Syria over the Golan Heights. A premature withdrawal from Lebanon could well induce a frustrated Syria to crank-up the violence of Hezbollah. Lebanon - Readying for War (1999): A new generation of Palestinian die-hards are training in Lebanon's refugee camps in preparation for confrontation with Israel. Inside the training camp of the hard-line '13th September Group' a commander hardens up a group of freshly armed teenage recruits by firing at their feet. Later there are lessons on using Katyusha rockets. Abu Khaled, chief of another radical Palestinian group, explains how he co-ordinates attacks with Hezbollah. Recognizing the popularity of resistance, the Amal movement, a rival Shia Muslim group to Hezbollah, has also resumed it's attacks against Israel. Watching the Amal fighters fire on an Israeli position, it is clear they are well trained and well armed. Forgotten Palestinians (September 2000) - After half a century in exile, the Palestinians in Lebanon still live in appalling conditions. It's a cynical move to ensure the refugees remain visitors and not citizens. More than 300,000 Palestinians in Lebanon still live in subhuman conditions. That is more than in any other Arab country. The plight of these people was once a central concern of the Arab world, but today, they feel forgotten. They are unwanted in Lebanon and have no place in the new Palestine. As always, edited by Ian Anderson (@starsalwayslost), with special thanks / credit to Sina Rahmani + The East is a Podcast. Robin Brickner is our social media coordinator. Our Twitter presence is @AntiImpArchive, and if you would like to reach out directly we have an email address at: antiimperialistarchive@gmail.com