A stream of consciousness at the news of Nasrallah’s death, amidst conflicting feelings, and the realization that the day after has begun
Honestly, when the news broke about Nasrallah’s assassination and his entourage, I didn’t know what to feel. This hasn’t happened to me before. Usually, it’s us getting assassinated, not the so-called resistance. I couldn’t decide whether to express my joy like the supporters he used to call ‘the noblest people’ do when we are assassinated, or pretend to be civilized and turn the other cheek.
Of course they, ‘the noblest people,’ deserve all the sympathy and support right now, but how about outrage, disgust and crocodile tears for the deceased? That is not what is happening. That’s a job for diplomats and professional whitewashers.
Not a coincidence
It’s no coincidence that a leader makes the same mistake made four times so far (by Nasser, Arafat, and the two Assad), using the same logic, the same tools, only to crash into the wall once again. That’s just how life is – a matter of changing circumstances, nothing more: as his MP Fayad would say.
Nor is it a coincidence that his people are dead, destroyed and humiliated, despite claiming we-shall-never-be-disgraced. Meanwhile, those he referred to as ‘collaborators,’ keep footing the bill for the retardation of his masters in Iran. His people had elected him, and the so-called collaborators had turned a blind eye. For it is not the first time, nor the first people to be fooled.
It’s no coincidence also, nor betrayal, that missiles rain down from one side and spit from the other at the same time. The amount of arrogance, bullying and crimes did not leave room for civilised niceties. Barely enough for the memory of that ignorant smug pretending to be fangs of lions.
And it’s no coincidence that an arrogant arms smuggler, who appointed himself as God’s representative on Earth, ends up where his likes usually do – in prison, exile or a grave. Because, in the end, that’s just how things go. This isn’t gloating nor malice nor sugarcoating, but a reminder of how bitter reality was.
The important thing
At the moment of this horrific achievement, and before it was even confirmed, I felt something much more significant. I felt relief and justice, like a decent citizen who, after 50 years, was finally avenged. Though, not yet completely.
I felt that the myths of ‘resistance’ and ‘defiance,’ and the ‘historical enemy,’ no longer hold sway over the majority of Muslims or Shiites, nor can they cover for a few dimwitted Christians or dusty leftists.
And as for all the religious fantasies, imperial conspiracies and Zionists lurking within, they can’t hide the fact that this, historically, is an Axis of failures, tardiness and perpetual mayhem.
I felt that Berri will revert to his 1982 self – at most, not even post-Taif Berri – but without weapons, Baathists or Soviets, and maybe without Jumblatt this time. The difference is, despite his long record of toileting the constitution, Taif and the law, at least one can compare his defects to those of others. Plus, he’s somehow cute as an ever-lasting-soon-to-retire grandpa.
I also felt the urge to tell all his goons: Bibi did for us with you, just as Hafez did for you with Bashir and Kamal, and Bashar with Rafic and the other martyrs. Breaking news: Hassan wasn’t better than anyone else.
Most importantly, I felt like I finally got what’s owed to me, and to every citizen – for every assassination, nitrate explosion, financial Ponzi, and for every war, bullying and contempt. With a bonus – a middle finger in the eye of every ‘resistance’ supporter and useful idiot who lectured us otherwise.
No more trials are needed, except to document what’s already known. No more having to deal with the forgiveness of a tried ingrate, or reconciliation with a scoundrel who can’t keep his word.
And I felt once again that the republic, and I as a citizen, are like the roots of a cedar tree – stronger than all the treachery of history, the malice of geography, and the pettiness of the theorists.
Finally, I realized that the next day has begun.
The article was originally published on X (former Twitter).
Eli Khoury is a strategic communication and media specialist and content producer with over thirty years of experience in global issues, public affairs, and national and brand communications.
