Meet the Bank Robbers of Beirut | NYT Opinion
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- Опубликовано: 27 фев 2023
- A wave of armed bank robberies has been sweeping Lebanon amid its economic meltdown. But the heists have followed a highly unusual pattern: The robbers are the banks’ clients, and the money they have been demanding is the contents of their own accounts.
These thieves have been driven to such extraordinary lengths to get their savings because banks have imposed strict withdrawal limits to avoid collapse.
In the Opinion video above, Sali Hafiz, a Lebanese interior designer, describes how a health crisis in her family drove her to take up arms - actually, a toy pistol - and withdraw her money by force. But the film also argues that the true thieves are not citizens like Ms. Hafiz who are trying to get their hard-earned savings but, rather, corrupt financial and political leaders who have helped to run the economy into the ground.
Prosecutors from five European countries have been investigating Riad Salameh, the governor of Lebanon’s central bank, who has been accused of laundering public money in Europe. And last Thursday, The Associated Press reported, Lebanese prosecutors charged Mr. Salameh, his brother and an associate with embezzlement, forgery, money laundering, illicit enrichment and tax law violations.
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Hi, I'm Zach, one of the producers of this new video for NYT Opinion. We wanted to make this film after we saw that the economic crisis in Lebanon was driving citizens to take extreme measures to access their own savings -- including making withdrawals at gunpoint. Our video tells the story of these ‘honorable’ bank robbers, who did what they had to do to help their families. What did you think of their decision and the corrupt officials that they feel forced their hand? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below, and I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about the video as well!
Thank you. I did not know *any* of this until I watched this short documentary.
I think it was brave but dangerous. If people follow their footsteps, things could get deadly. The government should seek IT experts to trace those offshore accounts and put it back in State funds.
@@Sikati85 it was the government that was corrupted, why should they handing their s to others?
Goverment today composed from politicians, central banking and corporations. What happened in Lubnan, will happened to another part of the world in future, until there's only rich and slave. We are heading in that direction, sooner or later.
They did good - Libanon has unfortunately been underreported on for many years (due to understandable reasons, but still). The average citizens are being exploited and are suffering.
I've seen this news before but thanks anyways for making it into a mini documentary. Did you guys ever had any trouble shooting this? And also will you also check about India’s Kashmir situation! thanks !
Maybe that crazy relative who buries their cash in the backyard isn’t so crazy after all
I thought the same.
maybe, but theres better way to keep the money save, if the solidification process doesn't make that wads of cash into a brick, then the inflation rate is gonna turn those cash into dirt
Do you know how where in the back yard it’s buried? 🤫
Asking for a friend.
Just dont have cash or anything criminals can turn to cash. Lock your assets as Deep as possible inside the International System. You wont believe How many of them will expose themselves to steal it.
Interest on deposit was really high they were all selling assets to turn into currency so they could claim more money from interest .
My history teacher showed this to us in class today, saying it was the best journalism he’d seen in a long time. My whole class agreed. Thank you for making this video!
You're very lucky to have such a compassionate, thoughtful teacher
@@fsikhtian I’m very thankful for him! I don’t usually like history class, but he teaches in such a way that actually makes me want to learn (as all teachers should). I wish there were more like him.
For me Isobel Young always does the best journalism
Amazing video. But the Best, really?
WOW
You aren’t a robber if you are simply trying get belongs to you in the first place. These people are simply fighting for what’s theirs and I applaud them.
Its like the guy who was wrongly accused in prison who later received an actual sentence for breaking out of prison
agreed. I would not consider these people to be thiefs, I would rather call the bankers and the politicians thieves.
From a legal standpoint, it's not their money. When you deposit your money in a bank, the money now belongs to the bank which is now free to spend it or loan it to someone else; you exchanged it for a right of credit against that bank. If you then try to exercise that right but the bank denies the withdrawal, that would be a breach of contract (although in this case apparently there was legislation which exempted the bank's conduct - if you think that's unfair, blame "democracy"). Legally, this is a natural and expected risk of doing business with banks.
However, if you then forecfully retrieve the corresponding amount you are owed, this is equivalent to stealing a car from someone who owed you money: definitely a crime, since the Judiciary is the only legitimate employer of restitutory violence.
@@jasonu3741 nah it's more like the criminals made him a hostage and now he's fighting back. You call that law? Heck all those bankers should be in jail if there was a viable justice system
For the first time in my life, I have seen people rob a bank to take their own money.
If a person steals from just one other person, they’re considered a thief. If that same person steals from a thousand they’re considered a bank.
What this lady and the others did was beyond heroic. They took things into their hands just to get what is rightfully theirs in order to save someone they love.
📢 Alert Look Warning Alert A Sunday Law will be The Mark Of The Beast when enforce by law, Those that keep Gods seventh day sabbath will be prohibited from buying and sell and persecuted. Jesus is coming are you ready?
no. What the thief does is explicitly against the law. What the bank does is explicitly within the bounds of the law. The banks are legally protected in what they are doing. Good luck!
The point of the 2nd amendment.
@@raheemallen2003 I am Christian. Stop spreading deceit. We don't have to keep the Mosaic law now.
That's great Alex. Let's just abolish all banks, that'll surely make society a better place. Istg...
I was PHYSICALLY hurraying her when she got her money. This is the best revenge, and most justice I’ve seen ANYONE get. Like ever. Gosh it feels good to see justice like this.
I mean predictably ...she didn't really get to keep the money.. She got like 13k out of 200k.. They still robbed her... No real justice or revenge ...... What sad is she had to go that far just to get like 15% of their own money..
More power to people like you. Hope things in Lebanon gets better
@@iglaggmania1800Did you see that she had a loved one who was slowly dying because her money was forcefully locked?
I wish I had done the same in Afghanistan. They froze our bank accounts, and only allowed us $100 to withdraw per week. I had a business, had to pay my employees and vendors. I ran out of cash within months and closed down all my businesses. To this day, I have no access to my money. It's been two years. I lost it all to the banks and the new government. Don't trust either one.
you for sure work with usa
Taliban government...?
Silence Liar
To both you; what does it have to do with my work with USA or anyone else? And why do I need to lie about anything? I said the banking system collapsed and I couldn't withdraw any money. You both probably need medical attention.
@@chershaw You betrayed your country... this is what to do your work with usa 😉😉😉
All support to Lebanese people from your all-time friends in Egypt. May God help you.
Ameen
@@danaali9182
Ameen Insha' Allah.
Allah has destroyed your country !!
Atleast now wake up !! And liberalise yourself !!
Good for these people! Fight for what is rightfully yours
so I’m a good person for robbing a Corrupt bank
@@Hamzaorabi91I'd say it depends on your other actions as well. But it definitely doesn't make you a bad person
@@Hamzaorabi91 If they unrightfully took what is yours and you decided to take it back then i don't know what's the problem.
@@Hamzaorabi91 ain't a robbery if you're taking back what's rightfully yours in the first place
Haven't the words to express how much admiration I have for both in taking their money forcibly out of the corrupt bank institution.
this is heartbreaking. The things Lebanon (and Syria for that matter) have gone through are un-imaginable
If it was the other way round and the a person was owing the bank a couple of $100k, the bank would foreclose the person's home, take their car, secure their assets and leave nothing to the person.
So, yeah. I'd say this is fair. Laws are there to protect, but when they fail, the people have to take the law into their own hands 💪
You took what belong to you by force, and you aren't a criminal..
As a Lebanese I found it joyfull to watch a fair, decent short documentary by an American media about Lebanon after all the negative/salty propaganda in Hollywood movies and news media about "Beirut" the capital of Lebanon. Well, maybe it is one good step in the right way for American media. From Beirut with Love 💌
Now look at silicon valley bank now
Much love from Turkey we support you 100%
What a badass woman.
ياكسرة القلب 💔 لبنان الجميل 🇱🇧 لبنان الثقافة والادب والفن 🇱🇧
شو عملوا فيه وكيف وصلوا الشعب والناس به 💔
الله يفرج لهم ودايم بندعي ونصلي لهم
Going to a bank that is holding your deposited monies, and taking out that exsct amount is called a withdrawal, not robbery.
Good report, however it was important to mention that not a single injury happened in these "robberies".
I mean, what would you do in her situation. There is no end to the lengths one would go if a beloved one's life was on the line. Above all, I commend these two individuals that no one got hurt in the process. With the banking system about to collapse once again, and the banks - yet again - not being held accountable, I fear we'll see more attempts like that worldwide- and the outcomes won't be as swift and peaceful.
They are so brave and my hat off to them. Anyone could have done what they have done, they are not robbers, it’s their money.
So proud of these two 🥺🫶🏼, Insha'Allah Lebanon is going to get past this crisis, and the politicians and bank owners are going to get the punishment they deserve.
This girl is an inspiration and very much heroic. I admire her.
How is her Sister doing ?? That is an important issue.
Respect💪❤️🇱🇧 very sad how our government failed us, we must stand with what's right because the real robber is the government not the innocent people!
Hope her sister recover completely from cancerr 🙏🙏🙏❤️ sending love
luv you
Now that's the kind of person I would respect. The world needs more people like her.
Great storytelling. Great visual storytelling. Well done, Zach, David and NYT. Comission more.
Beautiful journalism, thank you for creating this.
It's a pity to see a beautiful country going through this crisis!
Unfortunately, we wouldn't expect a bright future in the coming 5, 10 years.
All the best to this beautiful country!
A Lebanese here, had to leave Lebanon for Greece and now Canada in order to obtain a more decent life. Away from friends and family, to make money and send back home. That's the Lebanese reality
I hope her sister is getting better.
Her story needs to be in a movie, she's so gangster for this
Absolutely discusting how we just keep letting the rich get richer by every day people's suffering.
People should be able to access their money whenever they want.
All my support to this girl! and her familly
I wish everyone peace and health. May all of you, father, mother, and children be healthy. Eltin in Uzbekistan
Always putting smiles on when talking about what they’re doin
great video. sent shivers down my spine the whole time 💪
God bless her courage. I hope the people of Lebanon are liberated
Great work! Thank you
Everything about this is just amazing!
They aren’t bank robbers. They simply want their hard-earned money back from the bank that is holding it without their consent.
Incredibly inspiring - New York Times again comes in with the great journalism.
Their bravery is inspiring on another level
I hope this video raises awareness that when you give a bank your money, it ceases to become your money. Banks can do whatever they want with it and they do not have to give it back to you.
What's the next best option next to banking
@@___Anakin.Skywalker literary anything else ?
@@___Anakin.Skywalker real-estate/gold/open a business/ buy shares in a company that has a future.
POWER to these people! Stories like these give me hope that we're not all spineless brainwashed pawns ready to be used by the corrupt government whenever they wish.
Great piece. I’ve read about this.
Amazing documentary
she is not a Thief she is a hero
A crime is a crime and you shouldn’t justify it.
Law is disabled when no one protects your rights
Great work
Good to see, power to the people.
She is not a robber,she is taking what belongs to her only.
انتم ابطال ❤️
This lade is BRAVE...my salute
It gives strength to stand for whatever is ours.💪
We are Lebanese we are resilient and strong and never give up we will always rise from the ashes
Beautiful report
This is what's going to happen in many many places globally once people are getting bailed in. Get prepared
U are the idols of anyone whose going through these situations
#TheNewYorkTimes amazing report! Thank you
Amazing video ❤
These are True Heroes it can happen to every country.Stay Strong Lebanon
Is this a re-up bc I've seen this before. They are risking their lives to get access to their own money... Can't imagine what that must be like but I hope they continue to fight for what's theirs!!!
Vice News.
I spent four months in Lebanon on two trips in 2021, I got to see a country stressed out and crazy from this crisis, I was ripped off or attempted to be so many times even though I am of Lebanese ancestry
i cannot only you can help yourself
I am Lebanese and live here it's dreadful
@@pawfectlynice720 I feel for you brother I hope you can find a country to take you in
@@adrianayub1025 we will take our own country back from these liars and thieves.
@@nono-qe2yq my lebanese family made mexico their country long ago
She is a hero for me, for the whole world, and a bigger of a hero for her family
No words. Respect.
Legends!!! ❤
I remember listening to Robert kiyosaki podcast talking about banks would put your money on hold sooner or later and this was 3yrs ago
Power to the people!
These are the real heroes courageous and outraged. Love you lebanon ❤
Us Lebanese are known for our resilience and bravery
When the people in power don't understand kind words and language they have to be treated with force
The most beautiful bank robber ! ❤
Power to the people
Unbelievable.
you from >>????
Sad, people deserve better
Moral of the story: Never trust banks.
God bless you .
Loved it :)
Always stand with and defend what is right, against the wrong. God will grant you power. love from an Algerian
Im so proud of my people❤
Did the bankers give people's money back in US during the 2008? It's the same problem about banks, but for some reason US - good, lebanon - bad?
Greed kills.
لبنان لديه ثاني اكبر ذهب احتياطي في العالم العربي الزي العمله متدهوره هذا سر عجيب.
دولة فاشلة
Respect to this brave peoples❤️
Thumbnail choice is on point!
Incredible
No honor among thieves? With these ones around, think again!
Big love from Libya ❤ I support everyone fighting the bad government
These should be a movie
Fear me!!! I have a lipstick... the red one!!!
@The New York Times please we urge you to do a similar opinion piece on Pakistan! We are headed toward the exact same situation as Lebanon, our politicians are funneling funds outside the country while our country is on the verge of hyperinflation!
Great story, movie ls loading!!!
Amazing people ❤❤
this has to be the most badass woman i have ever seen, respect to her, she's the main character
I support her all the way. ❤
Now you know how banks work! 😂
They’re NOT robbers, they’re baddies.
This is sensational. Wow.
Bravo & salute to free press who expose tragedies like these around the world, committed by the rich & powerful & corrupt officials in government & private sector. Without free press we would never know what those people are doing to the public!!!
A few helpful definitions are needed here to illustrate that these people are not thieves. They simply took the money they deposited. The means they used to do so is not the issue. The issue lies in the fact that the real thieves who embezzle money are free to live luxurious with the money they stole.