Who is to blame?
This section of the site
introduces several conflicting opinions, theories, accusations, and versions of
the killings in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in September of 1982. The
purpose of this section is not to come to a definitive answer, as many facets
of the operation are still shrouded in mystery, and also not to single out any
faction of the possible candidates for accusation. Some facts speak for
themselves, and the burden of responsibility for the atrocities is arguably a
shared one. In this part of the website, different Perspectives are offered on
the events in the refugee camps, and contrasted through their conflicting
versions of what happened. It is clear that most of these opinions are no doubt
politically motivated, and fuelled by the ethnic and religious allegiance of
the ones who state these opinions. It is also a fact that the side of the
argument that clears Israel and especially the Phalangists of any
responsibility is severely underrepresented in the media and the internet, but
an effort has been made on this site to find and display these perspectives as
well. It remains that several important
facts are largely undisputed even in the opinions of those who seek to minimize
their own responsibility or the responsibility of those whom they support:
- Women and Children were
killed in Sabra and Shatila
- The death toll is in the
hundreds
- Israeli forces did
surround the refugee camps
- Ariel Sharon did order the
entry of Phalange Militiamen into the camps
- Phalange militia did enter
the camps
And these are the issues
that are disputed:
- The people killed were not
civilians. They were terrorists, terrorists-in-the-making, or terrorist
breeders
- The death toll is exaggerated/understated
to fit each faction's political agenda
- Israeli forces were not aware
of the killings inside the camps as they were stationed outside
- Ariel Sharon did not want civilians murdered
Please click on the links
below to obtain more information about each side's stance on the matter:
1. THE
MUSLIM/PALESTINIAN PERSPECTIVE