Mon Nov 18 01:48:44 UTC 2024: ## Australia’s Lebanese Community Traumatized by Renewed Conflict in Lebanon

**Melbourne, Australia** – The recent Israeli military attacks on Lebanon have deeply impacted Australia’s large Lebanese community, triggering traumatic memories of the country’s civil war and past Israeli invasions. Many Lebanese-Australians, a significant portion of whom still have family in Lebanon, are experiencing intense anxiety and sleeplessness as they follow the unfolding crisis through news and social media.

The images of violence are particularly distressing for those who lived through the 1975-1990 Lebanese Civil War and subsequent Israeli incursions, including the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacres. The current conflict has forced the Australian government to organize evacuation flights, bringing back over 3,400 citizens and residents from Lebanon.

One young Australian, whose family returned to Beirut in 2013, described the chaotic scenes of recent attacks, including witnessing injuries from explosives hidden in pagers. He and his family were forced to evacuate, leaving behind their re-established life in Beirut.

While the Lebanese-Australian community, comprised of both Christians and Muslims, is united in its concern for Lebanon, the recent escalation has exacerbated existing tensions. A rise in Islamophobic incidents has been reported since the Hamas attack on Israel in October, fuelled by harmful stereotypes about Muslims in Australia. This has prompted concerns about the government’s pro-Israel stance, which some believe has alienated the Muslim community.

Large pro-Palestinian protests have been held across the country, though the display of Hezbollah flags has sparked controversy, leading to arrests and condemnation. While the Victorian Lebanese Community Council emphasizes the importance of following Australian law, the government’s response highlights the complex political landscape within the community.

The Australian government has pledged $94.5 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon and Gaza and is calling for an immediate ceasefire. However, for Lebanese-Australians, the emotional toll of the conflict remains profound, adding another layer of complexity to an already deeply divided community and national political debate.

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