Amid the Israeli escalation in the south and the targeting of resistance fighters in their towns, homes, and vehicles, young supporters of the resistance raised signs in several southern villages and towns, particularly near the border, to pay tribute and appreciate their sacrifices, coinciding with the approaching Resistance and Liberation Day on May 25. In Sidon, young people raised a similar sign at the northern entrance that read, "To every fighter passing through here, may your face be brightened and your aim be steadfast, may you be protected, our choice is resistance." However, the Sidon municipal police removed it, which sparked disappointed reactions.
"ندا الوطن" learned that communications occurred between the Mayor of Sidon, Hazem Bedei, and several officials, culminating in a meeting with the young people who raised the sign. During the meeting, the circumstances of its removal by the municipal police were clarified within the context of a campaign that has been ongoing for over a month to eliminate violations in the city, including unlicensed advertising signs.
Bedei confirmed during the meeting that the sign was removed because it did not have a license and no request had been submitted to the municipality for its installation. He stated, "As long as this sign honors the resistance fighters, feel free to submit a request to the municipality to raise three signs instead of one, and I will approve it in advance." He added, “Everyone has the right to raise a sign, but they must submit a request to the municipality; this process should be welcomed by everyone instead of attacking and accusing.”
The young people who raised the sign affirmed that the campaign on social media does not represent them, and they appreciate Mayor Bedei's efforts and his kind initiative to ask them to raise three signs instead of one to honor and support the resistance. This is a testament to the city's three pillars of maintaining Islamic-Christian coexistence, national unity, and rejecting sectarian and confessional strife while embracing the Palestinian cause.
It is noteworthy that the Sidon municipality has launched a campaign for over a month to remove violations and encroachments in all neighborhoods and streets of Sidon without exception, particularly targeting vegetable carts and both mobile and fixed stalls, including fish selling stalls along the seaside promenade, not to mention fighting against begging. They also prohibited tents, tables, chairs, and express machines on the seaside promenade and beach, as well as occupying spaces using obstacles, chairs, or rubber tires on the roads and in front of pharmacies and institutions, even seizing motorcycles. The municipal police were assigned to enforce these measures according to "نداء الوطن".
