Why Was Mohamad Chatah Assassinated?

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by Ghassan Karam
That assassinations are an abominable crime is to be taken for granted. This is often the act chosen to sow fear in the hearts of groups of people close to the person killed because the group responsible for executing the assassination does not recognize the other and is adamant at denying them the ability to compete peacefully for the minds and hearts of everyday people. Assassinations are nothing but vile crimes.

Yet one can find a way to explain the “sick” thought process when a popular journalist is assassinated : the assassins fear the frequent articles and essays that are penned by the target and read by the tens of thousands every day and so they silence the voice that they fear through bombs and explosives. One can even understand their “sick” explanations when they decide to silence a powerful politician with a large following but why would they assassinate such a calm, learned moderate voice as that of Mr. Chatah? He is neither a powerful politician with a large following nor a journalist with a daily or weekly column. He was a gentle soul who believed in democracy, personal freedom and equality. It is frightening when such peaceful people, as Mr, Chatah, are viewed as a threat by those that disagree with his views and it is a sign of total bankruptcy when a decision is made to murder such an innocent, creative and productive soul. Besides the senslessness of this egregious act which is bound to cause lots of pain to his family and potential trouble for the country two lovely young children have been deprived for no reason of the love, affection and advice that only their loving grandfather could give. He was so proud of his grandchildren that he had their pictures on his Twitter feed.

Why was Mr. Chatah assassinated? What is the danger that he posed? A society that views the likes of Mr. Chatah as dangerous is sick, it is evil.

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31 responses to “Why Was Mohamad Chatah Assassinated?”

  1. As Laquees was to Nasrallah so was Shatah to Hariri. As Mughniyeh was to one side so was Hassan to the other side. Does anyone not see the pattern here of similar figures from both different sides being killed as one for the other one? There is really no mystery as to what is going on. The political arm of Hezbollah will say one thing (positive) while the military arm of Hezbollah will do another different thing (negative).

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      I do not think that many will doubt that the tit for tat idea plays a role in these assassinations but we must also remember that Mr. Chatah was not a soldier and did not exercise command over any military organization or militia. This was a peaceful man who I bet did not approve of violence as a solution to any of our problems. His assassination was a senseless act in an ocean of inane operations.

  2. As Laquees was to Nasrallah so was Shatah to Hariri. As Mughniyeh was to one side so was Hassan to the other side. Does anyone not see the pattern here of similar figures from both different sides being killed as one for the other one? There is really no mystery as to what is going on. The political arm of Hezbollah will say one thing (positive) while the military arm of Hezbollah will do another different thing (negative).

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      I do not think that many will doubt that the tit for tat idea plays a role in these assassinations but we must also remember that Mr. Chatah was not a soldier and did not exercise command over any military organization or militia. This was a peaceful man who I bet did not approve of violence as a solution to any of our problems. His assassination was a senseless act in an ocean of inane operations.

  3. Hi Ghassan,I think he was assassinated because he is a free mind,a man of ideas,a man of vision,a man with strategic thinking ,a man of dialogue and tolerance!This is the danger he posed to the other side!They fear such people and they are their targets!As for the ^extremists ^^takfiris^or whatever they re called,they are no danger for they need them to keep on going !They always need ^an enemy^ and if needed they create it !!!!!

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      Fauzia45
      Thanks for taking the time to share your views. I tend to agree with you. What I find so disconcerting about these assassinations is that they demonstrate our lack of tolerance for others. If someone does not share my point of view then instead of developing a serious dialogue where one can demonstrate the fact that the other is wrong we hire an assassin. This inability to have a dialogue and to always insist that it is either my way or I shoot you will bring about the end of us. Such thinking is neither creative nor democratic, it is barbaric. ( I do not agree with some of the ideas of Mr. Chatah but he has the right to express them without putting his life in danger). And obviously you are right about the need for an enemy to justify the unjustifiable. The only way to rationalize the need for an aberation is to pretend that there are special circumstances that demand it. If the real circumstances do not qualify then you create what you need.

  4. Hi Ghassan,I think he was assassinated because he is a free mind,a man of ideas,a man of vision,a man with strategic thinking ,a man of dialogue and tolerance!This is the danger he posed to the other side!They fear such people and they are their targets!As for the ^extremists ^^takfiris^or whatever they re called,they are no danger for they need them to keep on going !They always need ^an enemy^ and if needed they create it !!!!!

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      Fauzia45
      Thanks for taking the time to share your views. I tend to agree with you. What I find so disconcerting about these assassinations is that they demonstrate our lack of tolerance for others. If someone does not share my point of view then instead of developing a serious dialogue where one can demonstrate the fact that the other is wrong we hire an assassin. This inability to have a dialogue and to always insist that it is either my way or I shoot you will bring about the end of us. Such thinking is neither creative nor democratic, it is barbaric. ( I do not agree with some of the ideas of Mr. Chatah but he has the right to express them without putting his life in danger). And obviously you are right about the need for an enemy to justify the unjustifiable. The only way to rationalize the need for an aberation is to pretend that there are special circumstances that demand it. If the real circumstances do not qualify then you create what you need.

  5. Prophettttt Avatar
    Prophettttt

    Ghassan,Why was Chatah assassinated ? Why were the hundreds or thousands of Lebanese people assassinated?We keep asking the same question,yet each side would give you different reasons as to why this or that person was assassinated ,and who they suspect carried the assassination.Everyone of those who were assassinated is both a hero and an enemy,depending who you are asking. Everyone of them is a free thinker , open minded,and a terrorist,depending who you ask. Everyone is a patriot and a traitor,depending who you ask.They all die “defending” what Lebanon “stands” or “should stand” for,again depending who you ask.
    Not the first time I say:
    الوضع بلبنان بذكرني بواحد أخرس حكي لواحد أطرش إنو في واحد أعمى شاف واحد مكرسح عم يركض ورا واحد أصلع ليشدو بشعراتو.

    I gave up,

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      Prophettttt
      I , and many others, share your frustration. It has always been the case that someones trash is another persons’ treasure. Yes, two opposing groups will have two opposing spins on events. This has always been the case and always will otherwise they would not be opposing groups. But do we have to eliminate physically those that we do not agree with even if they pose no real physical danger? Have we become so depraved that we have no faith in our cause and so the only way to promote it is to eliminate all those that dare disagree with it? If that is the case then we as a people have failed.

      1. Prophettttt Avatar
        Prophettttt

        Yes Ghassan, We, as a people have failed.We, as a nation have failed.we as a society have failed.Unfortunately ,Assasination and killing are our easiest means of communication . Sadly so,We as people became the cheerleaders for corrupt system lead by corrupt leaders,and we as people have became corrupt.Now,we’re back where it all began; Tribes fighting for survival.

    2. 5thDrawer Avatar

      The depression grows, in the lack of education it shows.
      As the knowing leave the field.

  6. Prophettttt Avatar
    Prophettttt

    Ghassan,Why was Chatah assassinated ? Why were the hundreds or thousands of Lebanese people assassinated?We keep asking the same question,yet each side would give you different reasons as to why this or that person was assassinated ,and who they suspect carried the assassination.Everyone of those who were assassinated is both a hero and an enemy,depending who you are asking. Everyone of them is a free thinker , open minded,and a terrorist,depending who you ask. Everyone is a patriot and a traitor,depending who you ask.They all die “defending” what Lebanon “stands” or “should stand” for,again depending who you ask.

    الوضع بلبنان بذكرني بواحد أخرس حكي لواحد أطرش إنو في واحد أعمى شاف واحد مكرسح عم يركض ورا واحد أصلع ليشدو بشعراتو.

    I gave up,

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      Prophettttt
      I , and many others, share your frustration. It has always been the case that someones trash is another persons’ treasure. Yes, two opposing groups will have two opposing spins on events. This has always been the case and always will otherwise they would not be opposing groups. But do we have to eliminate physically those that we do not agree with even if they pose no real physical danger? Have we become so depraved that we have no faith in our cause and so the only way to promote it is to eliminate all those that dare disagree with it? If that is the case then we as a people have failed.

      1. Prophettttt Avatar
        Prophettttt

        Yes Ghassan, We, as a people have failed.We, as a nation have failed.we as a society have failed.Unfortunately ,Assasination and killing are our easiest means of communication . Sadly so,We as people became the cheerleaders for corrupt system lead by corrupt leaders,and we as people have became corrupt.

    2. 5thDrawer Avatar

      The depression grows, in the lack of education it shows.
      As the knowing leave the field.

  7. jimmy basso Avatar
    jimmy basso

    The killing of intellectual thoughtful loving person Chatah is a tragedy that we in lebanon mainly blames the hands of the syrian regime and his Lebanese allies Hezbollah for his killing as Mr. Charah was a vocal critic of Hezbollah illegal arms and hegemony ove Lebanon’s state institutions , authority , and trying to take control security and political internal and foreighn affairs through controlling the new government and the new president next year. There is no choice for us people of Lebanon and the president Michelle Sulieman but to confront this cancer phenomenon that is called Hezbollah and destroy it and take it out from the Lebanon once and for good. before its too late.

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      Jimmy basso,
      I am in agreement with the fact that both sides should stop the pretense and should take stands that reflect their principles. As long as the competition is in the realm of ideas then may the group with the largest following win. I do not think that you confront Hezbollah with arms but you form a cabinet and submit the names through legal channels to the Parliament who gets to vote on it , you do not postpone the presidential elections and you do not allow challenges to the authority of the central government.If the Hezb decides to fight such measure with illegal force then so be it.

      1. Hi Ghassan, First thing is first may Chatah RIP. Secondly if we are to look at this objectively as we should then lets state the obvious. No side in this is innocent. Both sides have been involved in syria from the start. Lets first agree on those 2 points. regarding the cabinet lets also agree that no side wants it formed until the syrian conflict ends. Can we also agree on that? M8 proposed 9-9-6 formula giving both sides veto power and actually putting the decision making into the hands of the centrists. Can we agree on that? There are foreign powers involved in the decision making namely iran and ksa. Can we agree on that? KSA has openly stated they do not want hzb in the cabinet. Can we agree on that? Now this has happened and m14 have come out stating they dont want hzb in the cabinet. Before investigations have been completed the jury has been out and made its decision. The same people claiming they want fairness and the rule of law have made their decisions. Where this takes us now nobody knows. The sensible ones in the country are being eradicated nobody hated chatah from any side he had a class about him.

        1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
          Ghassan Karam

          dateam,
          I do not think that we would seriously disagree on any of the points mentioned since most are factual. As for the assassination of Chatah, however, my only point is that it was an inane act. The only thing that it will accomplish is to increase the level of tension between the two major political blocs. A peaceful person was sacrificed in order to send a message. That is more than senseless and inane.
          I tried not to get into politics in this short post but yes both parties are mirror images of each other, unfortunately in many respects.

  8. jimmy basso Avatar
    jimmy basso

    The killing of intellectual thoughtful loving person Chatah is a tragedy that we in lebanon mainly blames the hands of the syrian regime and his Lebanese allies Hezbollah for his killing as Mr. Charah was a vocal critic of Hezbollah illegal arms and hegemony ove Lebanon’s state institutions , authority , and trying to take control security and political internal and foreighn affairs through controlling the new government and the new president next year. There is no choice for us people of Lebanon and the president Michelle Sulieman but to confront this cancer phenomenon that is called Hezbollah and destroy it and take it out from the Lebanon once and for good. before its too late.

    1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
      Ghassan Karam

      Jimmy basso,
      I am in agreement with the fact that both sides should stop the pretense and should take stands that reflect their principles. As long as the competition is in the realm of ideas then may the group with the largest following win. I do not think that you confront Hezbollah with arms but you form a cabinet and submit the names through legal channels to the Parliament who gets to vote on it , you do not postpone the presidential elections and you do not allow challenges to the authority of the central government.If the Hezb decides to fight such measure with illegal force then so be it.

      1. Hi Ghassan, First thing is first may Chatah RIP. Secondly if we are to look at this objectively as we should then lets state the obvious. No side in this is innocent. Both sides have been involved in syria from the start. Lets first agree on those 2 points. regarding the cabinet lets also agree that no side wants it formed until the syrian conflict ends. Can we also agree on that? M8 proposed 9-9-6 formula giving both sides veto power and actually putting the decision making into the hands of the centrists. Can we agree on that? There are foreign powers involved in the decision making namely iran and ksa. Can we agree on that? KSA has openly stated they do not want hzb in the cabinet. Can we agree on that? Now this has happened and m14 have come out stating they dont want hzb in the cabinet. Before investigations have been completed the jury has been out and made its decision. The same people claiming they want fairness and the rule of law have made their decisions. Where this takes us now nobody knows. The sensible ones in the country are being eradicated nobody hated chatah from any side he had a class about him.

        1. Ghassan Karam Avatar
          Ghassan Karam

          dateam,
          I do not think that we would seriously disagree on any of the points mentioned since most are factual. As for the assassination of Chatah, however, my only point is that it was an inane act. The only thing that it will accomplish is to increase the level of tension between the two major political blocs. A peaceful person was sacrificed in order to send a message. That is more than senseless and inane.
          I tried not to get into politics in this short post but yes both parties are mirror images of each other, unfortunately in many respects.

  9. 5thDrawer Avatar

    Amen, again, Ghassan.

  10. 5thDrawer Avatar

    Amen, again, Ghassan.

  11. MekensehParty Avatar
    MekensehParty

    He was assassinated because he would make a (relatively) great and strongly supported Prime Minister…
    We also need to know how he’s involved with the STL

  12. MekensehParty Avatar
    MekensehParty

    He was assassinated because he would make a (relatively) great and strongly supported Prime Minister…
    We also need to know how he’s involved with the STL

  13. nagy_michael2 Avatar
    nagy_michael2

    Ghassan why isn’t Chatah Muders and every member of Pro M14 who were killed never discovered the assasins. Yet every bombings took place against Hezbollah and Iran were discovered immediately.

  14. nagy_michael2 Avatar
    nagy_michael2

    Ghassan why isn’t Chatah Muders and every member of Pro M14 who were killed never discovered the assasins. Yet every bombings took place against Hezbollah and Iran were discovered immediately.

  15. Because that is what Hezbollah does to opposition.

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