A video clip of Representative Paula Yacoubian took off the necklace she was wearing and gave it to a protester in front of the Parliament in downtown Beirut, sparking widespread controversy across the digital space.
Yacoubian appeared in the video while speaking to a number of protesters in front of the House of Representatives, where one of them asked the deputy, "This necklace on your neck is gold?"
I took it off and gave it to him.
Paula Yacoubian surprisingly acted in front of the parliament... Watch what she did with a protester!# Lebanon#Lebanon24 pic.twitter.com/cxjhd3qqtP
— Lebanon 24 (@Lebanon24) September 26, 2022
The opinions of activists differed on digital platforms about the representative's reaction;
Activists described her behavior as "surprising", while others condemned it.
Journalist and activist Amin Abu Yahya said, "MP Paula Yacoubian, in a surprising move, responds to a citizen who asked her about the chain she was wearing around her neck."
Paula Yacoubian donated to one of the retired military to ask for his right $ 10.. What a change, oh no 🥴
— Muhammad Baqir Rizk (@Mohammadrizk8) September 26, 2022
As for the tweeter, Muhammad Rizk, he sarcastically said, "Paula Yacoubian donated to one of the retired soldiers a bill (contract) for his right of 10 dollars (dollars) .. What a change, oh no."
In the circulating clip, Yacoubian said, "It costs 10 dollars, congratulations to you."
This sparked anger among the protesters, who did not like her behavior, according to the circulating clip.
One of the demonstrators: Is the chain on your neck gone or what?
Paula Yacoubian Tamari: Now loosen up - we'll get you $10, congratulations
🙂
I don’t know her superiority, humility, or self-defense from head to toe pic.twitter.com/m1NC6QaRNs
— Mariam Majdoline Lahham |
Maryam Majdoline Al-Lahham (@MajdolineLahham) September 26, 2022
The center of the capital, Beirut, witnessed a stampede between the Lebanese police and military retirees who tried to storm the parliament building, in rejection of the living and social conditions, with the start of a session to discuss the general budget, which ended with its approval.