Heated Clash in Parliament: Insults Exchanged Between MPs
A heated verbal clash broke out during a Lebanese Parliament session on Wednesday as lawmakers debated an amendment to the National Defense Law that would allow military personnel to work in the teaching profession.
The dispute began when MP Sami Gemayel commented on the discussion, saying: “This has already passed through the committee,” referring to the proposed amendment. The remark came after Defense Committee Chairman MP Jihad Al-Samad said the proposal had not been approved by the committee.
Al-Samad responded angrily, telling Gemayel: “You should show respect when you speak to me. You are a member of the Defense Committee, yet you have never attended a single meeting.”
The exchange quickly escalated, with Gemayel replying: “I will not lower myself to this level,” prompting Al-Samad to respond: “Your level is much lower… you are beneath respect.” MP Elias Hankach then intervened, telling Al-Samad to “calm down.”
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stepped in to end the argument, urging MPs to stop interrupting each other.
Gemayel later commented: “If you were demanding apologies for everything that was said during the exchanges involving the defense minister, Paula Yacoubian, the education minister, and MPs, then I do not know how you would describe what happened now.”
The debate concluded with Parliament approving the proposed amendment by a show of hands.
