A short video clip of a Lebanese woman angrily addressing political leaders has gone viral, as she called on Shia politicians who support Hezbollah to "resist corruption and to stop linking financial aid with politics."
Video showing a Lebanese woman criticizing Shia political leaders in Beirut has gone viral on Twitter, in the latest example of the change in mood in the country since the outbreak of popular protests last October. #Lebanon #LebanonProtestshttps://t.co/9QvmwiSuQj pic.twitter.com/EM4DBFG8uO
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) February 16, 2020
In the video, the woman shares frustrations that average Lebanese people face on a daily basis because of deteriorating economic conditions in the country.
The video was widely circulated online with many commentators expressing their support of the woman's demands, as the country undergoes serious turmoil due to unprecedented mass protests that erupted last October calling for political change.
الاسعار ترتفع بشكل جنوني، حجة وزارة الاقتصاد قلة الموظفين للمراقبه، طيب خي الموظفين الاكسترا بغير وزارات وكلوهم بهالمهمه (موظفين سكة الحديد مثلا) ما مشكله القطار بسيسر حالو هالفتره.#الاسعار_تنتفض#لبنان_ينتفض
— hussein hadid (@HadidHussein) February 15, 2020
Translation: Prices have been crazily spiking and the ministry of economy is blaming it on having little officers to control the markets. Lebanon is revolting."
She is the voice of all Shi’a not just Lebanon.
— Linda Sabeti (@SabetiLinda) February 16, 2020
The economical collapse will affect everyone. From North to South. I only hope that the people who are still supporting political blocks that played a major role in this collapse would just wake up and stand up, just like this woman. #Lebanon #LebanonProtests https://t.co/HyxADU7bU4
— Luna Safwan - لونا صفوان (@LunaSafwan) February 17, 2020
Many people on social media also noted that the on-going economic crisis in Lebanon, mostly evident in the shortage of US dollars and a spike in prices, might result in prominent political parties losing their fanbase, especially Hezbollah.
The party had gained wide support because of its role in resisting the Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon between the years 1982-2000, but as domestic circumstances take precedence, this could soon change.
