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DOSSIER: SAMY GEMAYEL
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Samy Gemayel: A Glimmer of Hope
By Pierre A. Maroun
Twenty-three years ago, 1982, a dream was born when Bashir Gemayel was elected president of Lebanon, a nation
ravaged by war and torn apart by crimes. The election of Bashir brought new hope to people who were for so long
starved for peace, unity, and freedom. Unfortunately, the extravaganza that filled the streets of Lebanon was abruptly
curtailed. It was extinguished by a criminal hand that blew up the Kataeb Headquarters in Ashrafieh, burying beneath it
the dream and the hope in the birthplace of resistance. In a split second of hate and evil, Bashir and twenty-five of his
colleagues disappeared beneath the rubble. Again, a dark cloud of fear and uncertainty loomed over the sacred land of
the Cedars of God-Lebanon. Out of this darkness, however, a promise resurrected; Lebanese Kataeb/Forces vowed on
their leader’s coffin to never rest until the dream of Bashir and his colleagues to free Lebanon the 10452km2 was fulfilled.
Decades later, though Bashir’s friends have aged, the promise lives on through their children who adopted Bashir’s dream
and the promise of their fathers. Although they were innocent children at the time the dream fell and the promise was
vowed, they pledged to continue the struggle until the dream becomes a reality. These young activists have been
vigorously active in various means to achieve their sacred goal. Their popularity has originated from their zealous
involvement in fighting for human rights, freedom of speech, and democracy in a region foreign to such concepts. Their
activities, which include but are not limited to defying the Syrian/Lebanese security apparatus, organizing
the communities in various Lebanese towns and cities, as well as “sit ins” in Martyr’s Square are looked upon with
bewilderment and respect from a community which until recently was afraid to rally a peaceful demonstration.
These incidents and activities have triggered people’s interest in learning more about their convictions, especially that of
the brave Samy Gemayel.
Those around him believe that Samy’s bravery stems out of his conviction that Lebanon’s heritage cannot be saved by
writing poetry and that independence cannot be restored by issuing crafty press releases. Therefore, during the Syrian
occupation, unlike others who were fighting for independence and sovereignty around dinner tables in fancy restaurants,
Samy and his supporters chose to fight the battle in the street. Instead of facing the microphones of journalists and the
lenses of photographers, they were facing the water hoses of firemen and the batons of policemen. Whenever Samy
organized a demonstration, the puppet regime deployed an entire battalion of its army to subdue the freedom fighters.
Just like his grandfather before him, Samy marched before his supporters and he receives the first blow and/or the
handcuffs. His outstanding spirit and courage influenced many youngsters, even veterans.
Samy Gemayel's influence, however, is no longer limited to Lebanese towns and cities, but rather extends into the
Lebanese community abroad. His latest trip to the USA is a clear example. It was a visit that succeeded beyond everyone’
s expectations; it brought a refreshing message of hope and unification to the entire Lebanese community who came
from all over the US and Canada to meet the young leader. His approach to the Lebanese cause and his plea to
expatriates are unparalleled. Instead of taking the usual narrow window of a political partisan approach, Samy walked
into the hearts and minds of his audiences from the broader gateway of a national resisting figure. His message
was clear, yet very decisive. He declared: “The war on Lebanon today is very different and much more dangerous than
the war of 1975, simply because Lebanon’s heritage and culture are being rooted out. The fundamental fabric of
our society and identity are being coerced, and our immense history is being distorted and rewritten.” He added: “this
calculated war of manipulating public perception and beliefs is being waged to conquer and defeat our notably historic
independent school of thoughts in order to promote those of defeat.” Samy continued, “Our quest for freedom and
democracy is being portrayed as treason, while others’ radical and remote ideas are being glorified and presented as
national ones. Our belief in a diverse, independent, and sovereign Lebanese nation-state with rich and unique roots is
being suppressed in order to advance outdated ideologies with no connection whatsoever to our identity. This war,”
Samy affirmed, “is none but a continuation of the violent conquers that commenced against Mount Lebanon centuries
ago in order to subdue its free people and to rob them of their great legacies and values. The Syrian regime,”
Samy believes, “has picked up where other intruders have left off. Their goal remains: to annex and subdue our proud
nation-Lebanon-the only enduring beacon of freedom in the region.”
Samy’s concern that our history is being distorted and our unique heritage is being rooted out is not a phobia, but mere
troubling facts. In a pure Bashirist tone, he declared: “Unless we resist and win this organized war on our heritage,
Lebanon as we know it will cease to exist.” Therefore, Samy urged every Lebanese man and women to act before it is too
late. He urged everyone to rise above party politics to fight the war as one group of Lebanese nationalists.
While Samy acknowledged that students back home in Lebanon practiced cooperation, he stressed the need to improve
solidarity and coordination. He declared: “I am not asking you to forget your political parties; I am not asking you
to become Kataeb; but all I am asking you is to set your parties aside until this war is over. Only then,” he concluded, “we
can all go back to our parties and play as much politics as we wish.” His appeal received a great standing ovation from
an audience that long starved for unity.
Samy’s visit to the USA also brought attention to the student movements in Lebanon. He shed light on their struggles
against the regime and the occupying forces, and exported their concerns to the powerful Lebanese
community abroad. Although he believes that Lebanon can only be freed from powerful tool to utilize against the puppet
regime. When properly materialized, this support, Samy believed, can be the greatest line of defense for Lebanon’s
free and democratic system, as well as for its unique heritage and culture. In every message, Samy urged his supporters
to utilize every possible means to defend Lebanon’s sacred cause for which thousands of martyrs gave their lives.
Thus, he asked everyone to devote his/her unlimited, unconditional, and undeterred support in order to save Lebanon.
Hence, he affirmed: “we must not falter until the dream is fulfilled and the promise is delivered.”
Furthermore, Samy emphasized the importance of the Lebanese women and their significant role in society as well as in
our struggle to save the nation. In his private “mingling,” Samy urged Lebanese women to become more involved in
resistance in order to take their proper size and position in leading the Lebanese society. After all, Samy believes that
Lebanese women are more educated, stronger, and more capable in achieving tough tasks than any other women in
the world. Therefore, he pushed to employ their unlimited influence in order to empower Lebanese society.
On another note, Samy’s humbleness and openness to new ideas greatly touched people’s hearts abroad. He provoked
their sense of nationalism and reminded them of their great heritage. He awakened their moral responsibilities
towards their ancestral homeland and the Lebanese cause for which thousands of martyrs gave their lives. In addition, his
honesty and transparency earned him a great deal of respect and credibility. His message reached way beyond party
lines and touched a much larger audience than anticipated. People from all walks of life were greatly influenced by his
nationalism, his commitment to the Lebanese cause, and his determination to resist and succeed. Consequently,
many expatriates, who prior to this meeting were not involved in any political activities, pledged support to the cause.
The US visit revealed that Samy Gemayel is a leader of a great caliber with a unique personality. Despite his youth, he
came across as a well informed orator with great knowledge of our cause, our heritage, as well as our political
and social history. He presented himself as a nationalist with a greater cause, and a fighter with a noble mission to
accomplish. His demeanor was above political pettiness and beyond partisan campaigns. To many, Samy is no longer
viewed as the head of a student movement. He is no longer limited to Lebanon’s geographic boundaries, and he is no
longer a marginalized human rights activist. Instead, Samy Gemayel today is a young leader who represents the
aspirations of our youths; he symbolizes the struggle of our veterans; and he leads a national opposition movement with
an international reach.
After the recent development in Lebanon, Samy believes that it is time for a real change in Lebanon. There is a need for a
new political formula and a new viable plan that benefit each community. The Lebanese should have learned from their
mistakes. No one can impose his/her rules on others. The Lebanese live in a multicultural society, and they need to
respect their diversity. They need to respect the differences of opinion, religion, and culture. His call is to let this
country develop socially, economically, and politically; let it be free of any interference and free of regional conflicts.
Today, Samy and his friends along with other Lebanese groups are still serving the cause. Their mission is very precise:
save Lebanon the 10452km2 from all foreign and domestic aggressors-no more, no less.
May God bless our young Freedom Fighters for they are Lebanon’s only glimmer of hope.
Pierre A. Maroun
May 20, 2005
DOSSIER: SAMY GEMAYEL
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Samy Gemayel: A Glimmer of Hope
By Pierre A. Maroun
Twenty-three years ago, 1982, a dream was born when Bashir Gemayel was elected president of Lebanon, a nation
ravaged by war and torn apart by crimes. The election of Bashir brought new hope to people who were for so long
starved for peace, unity, and freedom. Unfortunately, the extravaganza that filled the streets of Lebanon was abruptly
curtailed. It was extinguished by a criminal hand that blew up the Kataeb Headquarters in Ashrafieh, burying beneath it
the dream and the hope in the birthplace of resistance. In a split second of hate and evil, Bashir and twenty-five of his
colleagues disappeared beneath the rubble. Again, a dark cloud of fear and uncertainty loomed over the sacred land of
the Cedars of God-Lebanon. Out of this darkness, however, a promise resurrected; Lebanese Kataeb/Forces vowed on
their leader’s coffin to never rest until the dream of Bashir and his colleagues to free Lebanon the 10452km2 was fulfilled.
Decades later, though Bashir’s friends have aged, the promise lives on through their children who adopted Bashir’s dream
and the promise of their fathers. Although they were innocent children at the time the dream fell and the promise was
vowed, they pledged to continue the struggle until the dream becomes a reality. These young activists have been
vigorously active in various means to achieve their sacred goal. Their popularity has originated from their zealous
involvement in fighting for human rights, freedom of speech, and democracy in a region foreign to such concepts. Their
activities, which include but are not limited to defying the Syrian/Lebanese security apparatus, organizing
the communities in various Lebanese towns and cities, as well as “sit ins” in Martyr’s Square are looked upon with
bewilderment and respect from a community which until recently was afraid to rally a peaceful demonstration.
These incidents and activities have triggered people’s interest in learning more about their convictions, especially that of
the brave Samy Gemayel.
Those around him believe that Samy’s bravery stems out of his conviction that Lebanon’s heritage cannot be saved by
writing poetry and that independence cannot be restored by issuing crafty press releases. Therefore, during the Syrian
occupation, unlike others who were fighting for independence and sovereignty around dinner tables in fancy restaurants,
Samy and his supporters chose to fight the battle in the street. Instead of facing the microphones of journalists and the
lenses of photographers, they were facing the water hoses of firemen and the batons of policemen. Whenever Samy
organized a demonstration, the puppet regime deployed an entire battalion of its army to subdue the freedom fighters.
Just like his grandfather before him, Samy marched before his supporters and he receives the first blow and/or the
handcuffs. His outstanding spirit and courage influenced many youngsters, even veterans.
Samy Gemayel's influence, however, is no longer limited to Lebanese towns and cities, but rather extends into the
Lebanese community abroad. His latest trip to the USA is a clear example. It was a visit that succeeded beyond everyone’
s expectations; it brought a refreshing message of hope and unification to the entire Lebanese community who came
from all over the US and Canada to meet the young leader. His approach to the Lebanese cause and his plea to
expatriates are unparalleled. Instead of taking the usual narrow window of a political partisan approach, Samy walked
into the hearts and minds of his audiences from the broader gateway of a national resisting figure. His message
was clear, yet very decisive. He declared: “The war on Lebanon today is very different and much more dangerous than
the war of 1975, simply because Lebanon’s heritage and culture are being rooted out. The fundamental fabric of
our society and identity are being coerced, and our immense history is being distorted and rewritten.” He added: “this
calculated war of manipulating public perception and beliefs is being waged to conquer and defeat our notably historic
independent school of thoughts in order to promote those of defeat.” Samy continued, “Our quest for freedom and
democracy is being portrayed as treason, while others’ radical and remote ideas are being glorified and presented as
national ones. Our belief in a diverse, independent, and sovereign Lebanese nation-state with rich and unique roots is
being suppressed in order to advance outdated ideologies with no connection whatsoever to our identity. This war,”
Samy affirmed, “is none but a continuation of the violent conquers that commenced against Mount Lebanon centuries
ago in order to subdue its free people and to rob them of their great legacies and values. The Syrian regime,”
Samy believes, “has picked up where other intruders have left off. Their goal remains: to annex and subdue our proud
nation-Lebanon-the only enduring beacon of freedom in the region.”
Samy’s concern that our history is being distorted and our unique heritage is being rooted out is not a phobia, but mere
troubling facts. In a pure Bashirist tone, he declared: “Unless we resist and win this organized war on our heritage,
Lebanon as we know it will cease to exist.” Therefore, Samy urged every Lebanese man and women to act before it is too
late. He urged everyone to rise above party politics to fight the war as one group of Lebanese nationalists.
While Samy acknowledged that students back home in Lebanon practiced cooperation, he stressed the need to improve
solidarity and coordination. He declared: “I am not asking you to forget your political parties; I am not asking you
to become Kataeb; but all I am asking you is to set your parties aside until this war is over. Only then,” he concluded, “we
can all go back to our parties and play as much politics as we wish.” His appeal received a great standing ovation from
an audience that long starved for unity.
Samy’s visit to the USA also brought attention to the student movements in Lebanon. He shed light on their struggles
against the regime and the occupying forces, and exported their concerns to the powerful Lebanese
community abroad. Although he believes that Lebanon can only be freed from powerful tool to utilize against the puppet
regime. When properly materialized, this support, Samy believed, can be the greatest line of defense for Lebanon’s
free and democratic system, as well as for its unique heritage and culture. In every message, Samy urged his supporters
to utilize every possible means to defend Lebanon’s sacred cause for which thousands of martyrs gave their lives.
Thus, he asked everyone to devote his/her unlimited, unconditional, and undeterred support in order to save Lebanon.
Hence, he affirmed: “we must not falter until the dream is fulfilled and the promise is delivered.”
Furthermore, Samy emphasized the importance of the Lebanese women and their significant role in society as well as in
our struggle to save the nation. In his private “mingling,” Samy urged Lebanese women to become more involved in
resistance in order to take their proper size and position in leading the Lebanese society. After all, Samy believes that
Lebanese women are more educated, stronger, and more capable in achieving tough tasks than any other women in
the world. Therefore, he pushed to employ their unlimited influence in order to empower Lebanese society.
On another note, Samy’s humbleness and openness to new ideas greatly touched people’s hearts abroad. He provoked
their sense of nationalism and reminded them of their great heritage. He awakened their moral responsibilities
towards their ancestral homeland and the Lebanese cause for which thousands of martyrs gave their lives. In addition, his
honesty and transparency earned him a great deal of respect and credibility. His message reached way beyond party
lines and touched a much larger audience than anticipated. People from all walks of life were greatly influenced by his
nationalism, his commitment to the Lebanese cause, and his determination to resist and succeed. Consequently,
many expatriates, who prior to this meeting were not involved in any political activities, pledged support to the cause.
The US visit revealed that Samy Gemayel is a leader of a great caliber with a unique personality. Despite his youth, he
came across as a well informed orator with great knowledge of our cause, our heritage, as well as our political
and social history. He presented himself as a nationalist with a greater cause, and a fighter with a noble mission to
accomplish. His demeanor was above political pettiness and beyond partisan campaigns. To many, Samy is no longer
viewed as the head of a student movement. He is no longer limited to Lebanon’s geographic boundaries, and he is no
longer a marginalized human rights activist. Instead, Samy Gemayel today is a young leader who represents the
aspirations of our youths; he symbolizes the struggle of our veterans; and he leads a national opposition movement with
an international reach.
After the recent development in Lebanon, Samy believes that it is time for a real change in Lebanon. There is a need for a
new political formula and a new viable plan that benefit each community. The Lebanese should have learned from their
mistakes. No one can impose his/her rules on others. The Lebanese live in a multicultural society, and they need to
respect their diversity. They need to respect the differences of opinion, religion, and culture. His call is to let this
country develop socially, economically, and politically; let it be free of any interference and free of regional conflicts.
Today, Samy and his friends along with other Lebanese groups are still serving the cause. Their mission is very precise:
save Lebanon the 10452km2 from all foreign and domestic aggressors-no more, no less.
May God bless our young Freedom Fighters for they are Lebanon’s only glimmer of hope.
Pierre A. Maroun
May 20, 2005
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