Trump Adviser Massad Boulos Claims Lebanon-Israel Peace Is ‘Imminent’
Massad Boulos, a Trump adviser, declared peace between Lebanon and Israel as ‘imminent,’ leading to public outrage due to his endorsement of illegal Israeli settlements. His remarks, made while meeting a settler leader, have drawn substantial criticism from Palestinian advocates, highlighting ongoing tensions and the complexity of potential peace negotiations under the current political climate.
Massad Boulos, an adviser to former President Donald Trump of Lebanese descent, has infuriated many with his assertion that peace between Lebanon and Israel is “imminent.” His remarks were made during a meeting with Yossi Dagan, the leader of the Samaria Regional Council, which oversees several illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, an area deemed unlawful by international law.
The Israeli settlements are largely condemned globally, with the United Nations urging Israel to end its occupation of the West Bank. Boulos, however, extended his support to the settlers during the meeting, reinforcing this by publicly praising them on social media. He expressed his appreciation for both Israeli settlers and citizens of Lebanon, stating, “We are looking forward to peace, and we are aiming for peace, and by the grace of God, this will be achieved, hopefully, soon.”
His statements have drawn significant backlash from Palestinian advocates who view his alignment with settlement leaders as an endorsement of land appropriation and ethnic cleansing. Dagan reciprocated praise for Boulos and the Trump administration for backing Israel’s settlement policies and dismissing Palestinian rights, saying, “I believe, and I know, God sent us to walk together for the future of the Middle East and the future of the world.”
As a billionaire and influential figure in mobilising support for Trump’s political campaign, Boulos’s comments arrive amidst contentious speculation surrounding potential Lebanese-Israeli peace negotiations, a notion strongly opposed within Lebanon. The country currently prohibits recognition of Israel and criminalizes interaction between its citizens and Israelis.
Recent tensions continue between Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel, especially following the extensive violence in 2023. Thousands of Lebanese lost their lives, including non-combatants, due to Israeli military actions during the conflict. Despite prevailing ceasefires, Israel has allegedly continued operations that violate peace agreements and provoke further confrontations.
Lebanese officials maintain that any dialogues must prioritize Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories and adherence to the 1949 armistice agreement rather than promoting full normalisation of ties. In related developments, recent comments from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff hinted at the potential for Lebanese and Syrian normalisation with Israel amid shifting regional dynamics, a sentiment echoed by Israel’s Foreign Minister, who suggested that Lebanon could follow Saudi Arabia’s lead in relation to Palestinian independence requirements.
In summary, Massad Boulos’s assertion about imminent peace between Lebanon and Israel has ignited controversy. His praise for Israeli settlers and alignment with hardline settlement leaders has been widely criticized, particularly by Palestinian advocates. The context of ongoing tensions and Lebanon’s historical stance against Israel complicates the prospect of peace negotiations. The international community remains watchful as Lebanon navigates potential dialogues regarding its relationship with Israel, emphasizing territorial withdrawal over normalization of relations.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
