A leaked video featuring Lebanese Forces Deputy Ghada Ayoub, in which she states that the confrontation has been ongoing for over 1,400 years and that provoking them will be of no use, sparked widespread criticism, particularly in the Sidon community. The Islamic Group released a statement confirming that they attempted to contact Deputy Ayoub but to no avail. The statement read: "To prevent any ambiguity and proactively address the reactions to these unacceptable remarks in form and substance, we sent her an inquiry regarding the content of her statements, demanding that she issue a clarifying statement to explain her true intentions and position, accompanied by an apology to Muslims and the people of Sidon."
It added, "Unfortunately, despite the anger provoked by her comments (which she claims were not aimed at Muslims), she refused to issue a clarifying statement, which places her and her party responsible for any repercussions. We find it necessary to respond and clarify our position:
First: The remarks made by Ms. Ayoub at this specific time, while we are engaged in a war against the Zionist enemy, are indeed a project of sectarian sedition, harmonizing with the enemy's agenda to destroy Lebanon.
Second: It has been clear since the onset of the Al-Aqsa Flood that Ms. Ayoub holds firm positions against the resistance, which is her political right. However, for her to continue these positions, hinting at a period that is most sacred to Muslims, is a crossing of all red lines, and we will never remain silent about it.
Third: We call on the President of the Parliament, Mr. Nabih Berri, to lift parliamentary immunity from Ms. Ayoub in preparation for filing a legal complaint against her with the relevant authorities on charges of contempt of religions.
Fourth: Ms. Ayoub and those she represents bear responsibility for any consequences that may arise from this vile act.
Finally, we say to Ms. Ayoub: The culture we learned over 1,400 years has taught us the principles of dealing, communicating, and dialoguing with everyone, respecting human freedom and privacy, and it has not taught us to lie and be hypocritical or dual-faced. In ancient times, it was said: If you have no shame, do as you wish.
Regarding Deputy Ayoub's statement in response to the controversy surrounding her remarks at the aforementioned dinner, she said in a statement: "Recently, a misleading campaign emerged against the speech I delivered at the celebratory dinner on July 26, 2024, in which I mentioned that we are in a continuous confrontation for over 1,400 years, which many know, but it may be lost on many others, to the extent that it was distorted and misunderstood to mean something other than the emotional and spiritual meaning I intended by recalling the feast of the martyrs of the Maronite Church or the martyrs of Saint Maroun."
She added, "The ongoing confrontation is against oppression from any source and against injustice and oppressors who control the fates of peoples, whoever they may be. Oppression and injustice have no religion, sect, color, or race. How much we need in these days to cling to the principles of our Church as we remember our martyrs and aim to resist all forms of injustice and oppression, leading to the freedom that has always been associated with the history of the Church."
Ayoub concluded her statement by saying, "I have complete confidence that those with insight and wisdom can distinguish between the truth intended for its own sake and the truth intended for falsehood, which many from those who love to stir sedition and sectarian strife could benefit from—especially in these days to undermine my relationships with my beloved family and friends in Sidon. I hoped some of them would prioritize logic and reason, avoiding exploiting this matter to portray me as an extremist, for someone who has grown up and been nurtured in the neighborhoods of Sidon, enjoying its shade, drinking its water, and drawing from the teachings and principles of Bishop Selim Ghazal finds no path to extremism."
