Rinson Jose, Man Tied to Lebanon's Exploding Pagers, Missing in US
NewsweekSep 15
Lebanon Files UN Compaint Against Israel Over Pager Attack
Above: Lebanon's Labor Minister Moustafa Bayram (C) talks at a press briefing with the Association of Accredited Correspondents to the United Nations (ACANU) on pager attacks and ILO complaints in Geneva, Switzerland, on Nov. 6, 2024. Image copyright: Beyza Binnur Donmez/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
Lebanese Labor Minister Mustafa Bayram has filed a complaint against Israel with the UN's International Labour Organization (ILO) over deadly attacks involving exploding pagers in September.
Bayram called the attacks — which killed an estimated 37 people, including two children, and wounded thousands — an "egregious war against humanity, against technology, against work."
The Spin
Anti-Israel narrative
Israel's pager attack was a blatant act of terrorism, with UN officials having already described it as such months ago. Though many of the victims of this attack posed no threat and were not part of a military, Israel chose to kill indiscriminately. As Israeli soldiers continue to commit atrocities in Gaza and now Lebanon, the UN must take action.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel's pager attack was a military operation against a military/terrorist target, as it specifically had them made knowing they'd be used by Hezbollah operatives and ensured those going to civilians were safe. The UN should be focused on how Hezbollah has continued to bomb northern Israel since Oct. 7. Terrorists should be condemned for terrorism, not countries defending themselves.