The red, white and cedar green of the Lebanese flag lit up over Tel Aviv's main square on Wednesday in a rare show of Israeli solidarity with Beirut as it reels from a devastating explosion.
Israel reached out to its northern neighbor immediately after the scope of the devastation, caused when thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse in the Port of Beirut ignited, were made clear, and offered any help necessary. The Lebanese government has yet to respond.
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Israel has been in a technical state of war with Lebanon for decades, repeatedly clashing with Hezbollah, a terrorist group backed by Iran that wields significant political power in Lebanon.
Arguing that "humanity comes before any conflict", Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai on Wednesday ordered City Hall to be illuminated with the Lebanese flag.
"Our hearts are with the Lebanese people following this terrible tragedy," Huldai tweeted.
The decision drew criticism from some Israelis, including Jerusalem Affairs Minister Rafi Peretz, who on Twitter likened it to "raising (an) enemy state's flag in the heart of Tel Aviv."
Tel Aviv often uses the building's massive front, which towers over the city's central square, to express solidarity with other nations by showcasing their flags or to mark other events of national and international importance with its lights.
The gesture met with mixed reactions on Arab social media.
Many Facebook and Twitter users dismissed it, posting makeshift images of the building lit up with images of Hezbollah operatives the organization's flags.
"If we want Tel Aviv to light up, we'll do it with our missile," one user said on Facebook. A similar tweet by another user said, "We have our own way of lighting up Tel Aviv."
Another said on Twitter, "It's only a matter of time until the Hezbollah flag shows up on this building in the state of Tel Aviv."
Others welcomed the gesture.
"Thank you, the Israeli people for your support. I hope one day there will be peace between our nations," a Lebanese man from Chicago tweeted
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