Thread by @haningdr

Thread on @LokmanSlim #LokmanSlim:
1-I’m heartbroken and full of indescribable anger, but I feel obliged to push myself to say a few things about the assassination of my amazing friend Lokman Slim and the context of his assassination. Some of this is missing from the rhetoric:

2-No, #LokmanSlim was not “a prominent Lebanese activist.” Lokman was a prominent anti-Hezbollah critic, among other things. We all know what he did, how was repeatedly and directly threatened by Hezbollah, and where/how he was murdered.

3-I understand why US officials cannot publicly accuse #Hezbollah before they have the whole picture. However, it is not difficult to put statements in context, and describe Lokman accurately. His assassination began long time ago and Lokman himself held Hezbollah accountable:

4-Urging the Lebanese officials to hold accountable “those who commit such barbaric acts” is like asking Hezbollah to investigate itself. We all know that said officials and the Lebanese security and judiciary systems are not to be trusted.

5-None of the previous assassinations in #Lebanon – since the eighties – have been resolved, and this is not going to change today.

6-Lokman represented many of us in his work and fight against tyranny and Hezbollah’s terrorism. We should honor that and say things as he did. Lokman was not afraid. Lokman did not compromise on truth and freedom. And we should respect that.

7-The timing: Hezbollah strikes when it is pressured, and this is why they targeted Lokman today. Lebanese Shia are blaming Hezbollah for the crisis, the Beirut Blast, and the miserable conditions of daily life. Lokman was targeted because he was the voice of this discontent.

8-This means that we should double down and contain their maneuvers and threats. If we do not, they will continue eliminating other critics who are still in Lebanon, and are today feeling left alone in their fight against Hezbollah’s fascism and terrorism.

9-His assassination was set as a message and I'm extremely worried about them. By assassinating Lokman, Hezbollah is terrorizing everyone in Lebanon, and eliminating the remaining small space of expression. We need to preserve this space and protect those in it.

10- Personally, I was “fighting” – to survive and preserve what is left. Today, I feel I have to “fight back” – not to preserve what is left, but to regain what we’ve lost. This is the only way to honor Lokman, his incredible courage, and his beautiful mind. RIP my friend.