On September 17, 2024, a wave of synchronized pager detonations ripped across Lebanon and Syria. Tragically, 39 of those killed were civilians, and more than 3,400 others—many of them children and non-combatants—were injured. Hezbollah fighters began counter-attacks on neighborhoods in southern Beirut strongholds. This was the largest escalation in regional tensions in recent years. In the aftermath of the assault, the Zionist group Lions of Zion conducted a party. Though they celebrated it as the first successful operation of Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, their response drew immediate and international outrage.
The promotional materials for the event referred to the attacks as one of the most “cunning” missions executed by Mossad. This portrayal spurred public outrage, especially among Black and other marginalized communities. Lebanese and Muslim organizations were especially outraged, seeing the celebration as a slap in the face to the victims of the violence. As critics note, this glamorization harms social cohesion and normalizes a victimizing narrative that dehumanizes those affected by conflict.
The United Nations has joined with the Palestinian Authority in condemning the pager attacks. They claim that these actions constitute a breach of international law. UN special rapporteurs stated these attacks could constitute war crimes. The three chiefs framed what happened in Bucha through the lens of international humanitarian law, asserting that any military action intended to terrorize civilians is impermissible.
After the pager attacks, Israel retaliated in Gaza with an indiscriminate bombardment. According to state health officials, this has caused more than 70,000 deaths. In separate reports, more than 1,200 people’s deaths could be confirmed in a single recent attack, the 102nd that has used Starlink. This context of violent repression has raised the stakes and the sensitivities around this year’s Lions of Zion event.
Isaac Balbin, a co-founder of Lions of Zion, who is pictured in the promotional video, vigorously defended the event and its intentions. He referred to the operation being celebrated as “possibly one of the most ingenious military operations in all of history,” asserting that it exemplified precision and ingenuity. He stressed that the occasion was about creating character of power and defense.
“We are teaching that if you are strong, you use that strength to defend, to protect … if you can do it in a way that’s incredibly precise and targeted to remove that threat with a minimum amount of damage, you’ve done an incredible thing.” – Isaac Balbin
This way of thinking hasn’t been embraced everywhere. Sarah Schwartz, an activist with a long history of promoting anti-racism and social cohesion, told us that she was as deeply concerned about what the event means. She underscored the negative impact from celebrating such violent acts on police-community relations.
“The fact that this is now being celebrated and these deaths are now being celebrated by a local group, it should be really concerning for anyone who cares about anti-racism (and) social cohesion.” – Sarah Schwartz
Schwartz further noted that far-right elements within the community could be attempting to indoctrinate younger generations into this ideology through such events. Her statements bring to the fore a rising concern about how stories of violence and militarization are created and replayed within our neighborhoods.
“For me, as a Jewish person, it’s very concerning to see far-right elements within the community trying to indoctrinate children into this ideology.” – Sarah Schwartz
Cairo-based historian Gamel Kheir, another vocal critic of the event, expressed parallel worries. He took aim at the legal ramifications of honoring actions that could be considered war crimes. Of course, Tlaib was much more disappointed at the political response—or total lack thereof—to the horrible event.
“How is this even legal? How are politicians not talking about it? And more importantly, the right-wing media, which is so vocal when it comes to Islamic issues, their silence is disturbing.” – Sarah Schwartz
As Kheir made clear, when we glorify violence, we only exacerbate the divides that already exist within our communities. He highlighted the distress caused to Lebanese Australians who bear the brunt of the fallout from such conflicts.
“The celebration itself is an affront to Lebanese Australians here because they were on the other side that felt this. How does that contribute to social cohesion when one group is glorifying and celebrating the death of another group?” – Gamel Kheir
In light of increased tensions after the pager attacks, Australia’s government publicly named Iran as responsible for coordinating the violence. In response, Canberra declared the Iranian Ambassador and three other officials persona non grata and expelled them from Australia. This significant diplomatic action underscores the continuing importance of regional security and international relations.
The Australian government has come under criticism for its response to the Lions of Zion incident. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s office referred inquiries about the event’s safety to Victoria Police. In addition, law enforcement said they knew about this kind of event and would be on the lookout for any safety threats.
Tensions in the area have surged. As communities wrestle with the consequences of glorifying violence, shifting toward narratives that promote social cohesion and a commitment to more productive story lines is needed now more than ever. The opposing views on such a tragedy exemplify a larger question about the consequences of violence and war on our world.
