Date: Wednesday November 29 2023

Time: 7:30 - 9:00 PM (Beirut time, GMT+3)

Language: Arabic with English translation

Participant: Elie Kosseifi, journalist

Moderator: Hana Jaber, director of Lokman Slim Foundation

This presentation will explore the influence of political assassinations on the political dynamics of both the Kataeb and Communist parties in Lebanon. Elie Kosseifi conducted extensive interviews with Mr. Sarkis Al-Baye', whose father Joudi Al-Baye' held a leadership position in the Kataeb party and was assassinated in 1978. Additionally, he interviewed Alfred Madhi, the president of Bachir Gemayel Academy, named after Bachir Gemayel, who was assassinated in 1982. 

Two additional interviews were carried out with Youssef Mortada and Hussein Kassem, former members of the Lebanese Communist Party's leadership. They served under General Secretary Georges Hawi, who was assassinated in 2005. 

According to Kosseifi, political assassinations transcend the confines of the civil war and the period following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon; they constitute an integral aspect of Lebanese politics. Putting an end to such practices necessitates a comprehensive overhaul not only in the judicial system but also in the political practices themselves.

The webinar is supported with German Federal Foreign Office’s funds by ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen), zivik Funding program.