JEDDAH, 14 July 2006 — Anger and fear for loved ones stuck in Lebanon after Israel bombed Beirut’s airport yesterday morning, were some of the feelings expressed by Saudis and expatriates in the Kingdom who were interviewed by Arab News, as all airlines suspended flights to and from Beirut.
Naila Abdulfattah, a retired educator, said that she is yet to hear from her daughter Muna who is with her husband Kareem honeymooning in Beirut. The newlywed couple had decided, after touring Europe, to conclude their honeymoon with a few days in Beirut.
“They’ve been honeymooning for three weeks and were due back tomorrow. This is the longest time my daughter’s been away. I’ve been counting the days for her return and now I don’t know when she’ll be able to come back,” said Naila.
All flights from Saudi Arabia to Lebanon have been canceled in the aftermath of Israel’s attack on Beirut International Airport according to a senior Saudia official. The status of flights to the Lebanese capital will remain suspended until further notice.
The official added, “Technically wide-bodied planes are unable to land on the runway strips at Beirut International Airport because of the attacks. Many passengers had already began calling in to cancel their flights to Lebanon before we’d cancelled flights.”
Saudi Arabia has increased flights to Damascus for Saudis choosing to return from the Syrian capital or from Lebanon via Damascus. Egypt Air also increased flights to Damascus since Cairo is a popular summer destination for Gulf tourists, especially Saudis.
Saudi travel agencies have also been instructed to stop their operations in and out of Beirut immediately, according to an official from a leading travel agency.
“A circular has been sent out to all agencies not to send passengers to Beirut. Those flights that have already left for Beirut have been redirected to Larnaca. It is the peak holiday season and there are heavy bookings for Beirut. We expect a lot more cancelations with Beirut being a favorite destination for Saudis,” he added.
Already travel agencies are facing a rush of tourists redirecting their holiday routes to other popular destinations in other countries.
“There were three flights to Lebanon that were canceled yesterday due to the airport shutdown that included a Saudia flight and two Middle East Airline flights,” said Zaheeruddin Bhatt, a supervisor at the Jeddah-based T&TS travel agency.
He added, “Lebanese nationals are mainly asking for redirections to Damascus.”
“I feel this chaos will continue for a few days until the Beirut airport is reopened. We are getting lots of inquiries about flights, but we can’t do anything because of limited flights and the huge rush,” he added.
Bhatt said some of the passengers have canceled their bookings, with some going to Europe instead to spend their holidays.
Many Saudis expressed their alarm and dismay at the tragic turn of events in the Lebanese capital during the peak summer season. They also expressed concern for the impact this attack will have on the Lebanese economy with tourism playing a big role in the country’s economy.
“I was planning on traveling to Lebanon next week but will have to postpone now,” said Mohammad Idrissi, a Saudi businessman with an office in Beirut. “It’s going to hurt the Lebanese the most. It’s going to hit them badly. A lot of Lebanese depend on the summer holiday to support their families and themselves throughout the rest of year. This is going to have economic repercussions.”
Zubair Abdullah, a retired Saudi businessman said, “I’m sad and angry over what’s happened in Lebanon, sad that ordinary people are always paying the price of politics and angry with Hezbollah for making such a move at the cost of their own people. What did they achieve with seizing the soldiers?”
The Israeli bombardment of Gaza and Lebanon has roused the sentiment of rage in the Arab street.
“Israel is behaving like a bully and there is nobody to stop it,” said Sarah Al-Otaibi, 21, a student at Dar Al-Hekma College in Jeddah. She was livid at the United States and highly critical of the world’s only superpower.
“When will the US rein in its illegitimate creation? Where are the justice-loving American people? Daily incursions and kidnappings by Israeli forces are common place and when there is a little retaliation, it brings about a brutal and disproportionate response,” she said.
Al-Otaibi said she was disappointed at the lack of reaction from the world community. “The world is just sitting back while the Palestinian and the Lebanese people are suffering like hell. And, yes, what is the United Nations doing?” she asked in despair.
Rana Siddik said it was time for all Arabs to join hands and teach Israel a lesson.
“If Hezbollah, which is such a small organization, can bring Israel to its knees, imagine what the combined might of Arabs countries could do? If all the Arabs unite on this issue, America will run away from our lands like a dog with its tail between its legs. Now is the time for Arabs to declare war on Israel. Enough is enough,” he said, seething with anger.
—With input from L. Ramnarayan and Khalil Hanware
