🕰🧩 Call it an hour. Two parallel timezones to begin tomorrow

Lebanese Christian-funded political television channels MTV and LBCI have announced their refusal to abide by the government's decision to postpone Daylight Saving Time (DST).

Lebanon was supposed to switch to DST tonight at 00:00 (moving the clocks forward to 01:00), but the govt's secretary-general postponed it to 21 ⁠April in order to ⁠accommodate Muslims during the month of Ramadan.

Several Christian politicians complained of this decision; Gebran Bassil tweeted on 23 ⁠March that “the story of the hour is not accepted”; Samir Geagea yesterday called on the government to reverse the decision, tweeting it would “hinder a lot of businesses, especially air traffic and international companies”. It is not clear what, and who, is causing more complications. Only time will tell where the country is headed.

⋯ 🕰 The Maronite patriarchate's episcopal see (Bkerke) announced it will not comply with the government's decision to postpone DST.

The general secretariat of Catholic schools in Lebanon announced it will not comply neither.

⋯ 🕰 Caretaker-Prime Minister Mikati: “I feel sorry for the sectarian turn taken after the issue of delaying Daylight Saving Time, which has nothing with sectarianism.” (An-Nahar)

⋯ 🕰 Sunni official, member of Lebanon's Dar Al-Fatwa, Hassan Moraib, tweeted:

“In response to the abhorrent racism and sectarianism of the MTV and LBCI channels by not adhering to the government’s decision to postpone Daylight Saving Time until after the blessed month of Ramadan, I call on all Muslims of all denominations to boycott these two channels and all their programmes.

“No one should appear on any of their programmes whether political or otherwise, or interact with their social media accounts, until they take back their reckless decision and take their fellow countrymen, as they call us, into account.”

⋯ 🕰 Two more television channels announced they will not comply with the government's decision to postpone DST: Al-Jadeed and OTV.

⋯ 🕰 Lebanese channel MTV is misleading its viewers with this tag: “Internationally recognized Lebanon time”.

⋯ 🕰 Situation in Beirut Airport this morning

The recent events in Israel are of upmost importance because they highlighted how one's hunger for unrivalled power can sow chaos in a stable kingdom.

And like every kingdom for Jews, chaos will always prevail before their collapse due to internal and external factors.

⋯ But while the current situation will not collapse Israel, it has successfully divided the Israeli community into two camps that hate each other and are willing to bring the other down. This will eventually contribute to a weaker, disunited community during any crisis.

This crisis is unique, because it was enough to bring down a trustee of Netanyahu, MK Yoav Galant, who is now yet another ally turned opposition. The opposition here and in today's current political scene, is an anti-Netanyahu one.

⋯ “I see the source of our strength eroding,” Galant warned.

“The growing rift in our society is penetrating the IDF and security agencies. This poses a clear, immediate, and tangible threat to the security of the state. I will not lend my hand to this.”

Galant's words echoed  a real concern because this crisis has impacted the Israeli army regular and reserve force.

According to Israeli media, many ex-soldiers protested the judicial changes. This involved many influential soldiers and war heroes.

⋯ The military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, has told government leaders that the number of reservists reporting for duty this month fell so far, that the military was on the verge of reducing the scope of certain operations. The military high command is also concerned about the possibility of resignations from full-time soldiers, two of the officials said.

What will Hezbullah and the Palestinian resistance do? Mostly likely help sow additional chaos while avoiding a war.

⋯ Updates by Israeli media:

- Consul-General of Israel in New York, Asaf Zamir, has announced he is resigning.

- Defense Ministry Director-General, Eyal Zamir, will be cutting a working trip to Washington short and returning to Israel.

More updates on Bellum Acta:

t.me/BellumActaNews/92857

⋯ - PM Benjamin Netanyahu & ally Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri support the idea of halting judicial reforms, amid increased pressure.

- The Hegel Hatora faction of the United Torah Judiasm party declared that they will back Netanyahu.

- Coalition leaders will meet tomorrow to discuss the topic.

- Justice Minister Yariv Levin & National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir insist on executing the judicial reforms.

- The reforms may be halted, but Justice Minister Levin threatens to resign.

- Ben-Gvir via Facebook livestream: “We are appraoching the moment the right-wing takes to the streets.”

⋯ - Netanyahu's office considers holding a referendum on the judicial reforms.

- His cabinet is still divided; Justice Minister Yarev Levin withdraws his support for the reforms. National Security Minister Ben-Gvir threatens to resign if the judicial overhaul is cancelled (Netanyahu postponed his speech in order to meet with him). Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant agrees to resume his position if Netanyahu changes his decision.

- A workers' strike commences at Ben Gurion Airport (at least 23 flights have been halted so far). Other sectors are announcing strikes. Far-right groups are organizing a pro-reform demonstration in front of the Parliament building in Jerusalem. The Israeli police have increased their deployment, fearing clashes. Netanyahu urged protesters on all sides to refrain from violence. Pro-reform protests will be held at the Tel Aviv interchange this evening, where anti-reform ones have largely been held. Activists are calling for violence.

⋯ Footage from inside Ben Gurion airport, where nearly two dozen flights have been cancelled so far due to the airport's anti-reform strike.

Lebanon will officially adopt DST at midnight on Thursday, 30 March, as was decided in this morning's cabinet session. This comes after the Education Minister defied the government decision and ordered schools to operate based on DST.

In a televised speech, PM Mikati said that the state will need about 48 hours to readjust.

For those in Lebanon, remember to manually set your devices' clocks on Wednesday night to avoid confusion the next day.