Lebanese Journalist Nadim Koteich Refuses to Label Israel an "Enemy," Adds: I Don't Give an 'F-Word' about People Accusing Me of Treason

Lebanese journalist Nadim Koteich said in a December 18, 2019 interview on Al-Jadeed TV (Lebanon) that there has been more occupied land in Lebanon after the 2006 Lebanon War than there was before it and he elaborated that Lebanese land is occupied by both Israel and Iran. When asked whether he viewed Israel as Lebanon’s enemy, Koteich refused to answer, saying that he will not succumb to any sort of extortion when it comes to his patriotism and that he does not "give an 'F-Word'” if people accuse him of being a collaborator or a traitor.

Nadim Koteich: Did you know that more Lebanese land has under occupation since the 2006 war than had been before it? Yes, the resistance started a war, and after this most important victory, which was labeled a “divine victory,” the amount of occupied land increased rather than decreased.

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[Lebanese land] is occupied by Iran and by Israel.

Male interviewer: By Iran?

Nadim Koteich: Of course.

Male interviewer: Where? Lebanon is occupied by Iran?

Nadim Koteich: Of course.

Female interviewer, Rachel Karam: You must be talking about the border with occupied Palestine. Who occupies this land?  

Nadim Koteich: Israel does.

Rachel Karam: And is {Israel] our enemy?

Nadim Koteich: I am not going to answer this question.

Male interviewer: Of course Israel is the enemy. What are you saying?

Nadim Koteich: No, don’t say “of course.”

Male interviewer: So go ahead…

Nadim Koteich: I don’t want to answer, because the background for this question…

Male interviewer: This is an accusatory question…

Nadim Koteich: No, she is free to ask whatever she wants. This is a legitimate question asked by many people, not just by Rachel [Karam] here. Rachel and I know each other… With regard to this matter, I don’t need to prove my patriotism to anybody. Someone on Twitter wrote to me: “You are a collaborator.” I wrote back: “Yes, I am a collaborator, now go get your big guns.” I will not succumb to any sort of extortion when it comes to my patriotism. Whoever has proof, should contact the judiciary. That’s it.

Male interviewer: So if someone calls you a collaborator or accuses you of treason…

Nadim Koteich: I don’t give an “F-word”…

Male interviewer: Neither do I.

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