:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/thenational/LG7IL6BG6JA56Y4UJ26P75DF5U.jpg)
Woman with Toy Gun Grabs Trapped Savings from Beirut Bank
SnopesDec 24, 2022
The Facts
On Friday, Lebanese depositors reportedly stormed at least eight banks throughout the country seeking access to their own money frozen in the banking system as the country's financial crisis continues to deepen.
In response to what pro-depositors groups called "the depositors' uprising," Lebanese banks announced a three-day closure next week due to security concerns, and requested the government to pass laws to solve this crisis.
The Spin
Narrative A
These people are heroes, and their actions represent the frustrations of an entire nation that has been deprived of its savings for nearly three years. As millions of Lebanese have been thrown into poverty by corrupt politicians and bank owners, such desperate measures are a form of retribution for this injustice.
Narrative B
While the depositors' actions may seem noble to some, they, like many others inside and outside Lebanon, are blaming the wrong people. It's the outside influence of Iran, as well as Hezbollah, that has pushed Lebanon to the brink, and the Lebanese people must acknowledge this to truly move forward and fix their country.
