October 30, 2026
The “Youth of Qobayat” group entered into the controversy surrounding the real estate file of the town of Betshay, declaring its categorical refusal to use the town’s name or affiliation with it as a cover for any actions that affect the people’s lands and identities, and expressing its complete solidarity with the people of Betshay in their efforts to hold on to their land.
In a statement issued by them, the “Youth of Qobayat” strongly denounced what was raised recently regarding the Betshay properties, stressing the firmness of their position by refusing to provide any cover for those involved in these actions, regardless of the names or affiliations of those involved, “even if they are from the town.” The statement stressed that affiliation with Qobayat represents “a responsibility, values, and position, and not just an entry in human records,” considering that whoever deviates from these constants “does not represent Qobayat or its youth.”
The statement stressed that the town’s land and identity are a red line, expressing its rejection of any path that might lead to demographic change at the expense of Christians and their lands, or exploiting the current circumstances in Lebanon to undermine the stability of the towns and the existence of their people.
In the same context, the “Youth of Qobayat” renewed their solidarity with the people of Betshay, explaining that “the legality of any real estate transaction does not mean our acceptance of its demographic and social consequences,” and stressing that land has moral and value dimensions that go beyond the scope of buying and selling operations. The statement continued: “We will not be a cover for anyone who contributes to this path, and we will not accept that the name of Qobayat be used as a cover for it,” stressing that anyone whose personal interest prevails over his family’s land and existence “does not represent the people of Qobayat and has no right to speak on their behalf.”
The statement concluded with a categorical assertion that “Qubayat is not a cover for anyone, and our land, identity, and existence are not subject to bargaining.”
This fractured position comes against the backdrop of the heated controversy over real estate transactions in the town of Betshay, and the discussions that arose around it related to the identity of the region and the repercussions of the sales operations on its social and demographic composition, which prompted the “Youth of Qobayat” to issue a decisive position separating the general population of the town from any parties concerned with the file.
