Getting Tough On Gemmayze

Why would the government, in a particularly difficult time for tourism, shut down 20 pubs in one of Lebanon’s most successful party neighborhoods?

Today, the Minister of Tourism Joe Sarkis moved closer to shutting down 20 pubs and restaurants in the popular Gemmayze neighborhood. The move is odd not only because Lebanon needs all the tourist money it can get, but because this would be a very unpopular move with many Christian youths whose hearts and minds the LF minister seeks for his party. So why is Mr. Sarkis pushing for this seemingly outrageous action?

In two words: “Angry residents”. Gemmayze party-goers often forget that a lot of people, many of them seniors, live in Gemmayze. Those people have become so pissed off with the “hijacking” of their neighborhood -the unbridled partying, the morning vomit, the stifling traffic- that they started taking matters in their own hands. They began by throwing eggs and water buckets from their balconies at party-goers, then they started escalating.

According to the Daily Star:

In recent weeks, Gemmayzeh residents have adopted more formal means of countering the commotion. On Saturday, more than 100 locals blocked the main drag in protest of the “hijacking” of parking spaces, clubs that ignore closing hours, and the racket caused by poor soundproofing or parties that spill out into the streets. Attracting wide media coverage, the protest has increased pressure on entrepreneurs operating in the area to accommodate some of the demands being made by local citizens.

Mr. Sarkis decided to take action by targeting unlawful pubs. By that, he’s placating the residents while establishing a semblance of the rule of law, both politically sound outcomes.

The left-outs can go to the newly-hip Hamra if they wish.