Jumblatt Warns against Foreign Influence in Syrian Druze Communities
Walid Jumblatt cautions Syrian Druze against foreign interference, urging them to protect their identity and resist division. He denounces increased Israeli outreach to the Druze and announces the end of annual commemorations for his father’s assassination. Jumblatt reiterates calls for Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and critiques recent symbolic delegations to Israel.
Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt has issued a warning to the Druze communities in Syria regarding the potential for foreign interference, urging them to remain alert against attempts to sow division within the country. During a ceremony commemorating the 48th anniversary of his father Kamal Jumblatt’s assassination in Mukhtara, he emphasized the importance of maintaining their historical resistance and upholding their Arab and Islamic identity, as reported by The New Arab.
In addressing the Syrian Druze population, Jumblatt encouraged them to unite in their fight against “occupation, colonialism, and mandates imposed on the Golan” and to safeguard their Islamic heritage. Additionally, he cautioned them against “Zionist infiltration,” underscoring the necessity for them not to be used as instruments for the division of Syria. His remarks come in light of increasing Israeli outreach to the Syrian Druze, which has drawn criticism from various regional leaders.
Significantly, Jumblatt announced the discontinuation of the annual commemoration of his father’s assassination, declaring that “justice has finally been served” with the recent arrest of Ibrahim Huwayja, the former chief of Syrian Air Force Intelligence, whom Jumblatt holds accountable for his father’s death. He also reaffirmed the Progressive Socialist Party’s (PSP) dedication to Lebanon’s unity and its Arab identity.
Moreover, Jumblatt reiterated the call for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. He advocated for the demarcation of Lebanon-Syria maritime and land borders and urged for a rebuilding of relations between the two nations upon new grounds. He expressed disapproval of a recent visit by around 100 Syrian Druze leaders to Israel, deeming it merely symbolic and asserting that “a visit, religious or otherwise, will not change the fact of occupation in Palestine and the Golan Heights.”
In summary, Walid Jumblatt’s speech emphasizes the critical need for Syrian Druze communities to resist foreign manipulation and uphold their cultural identity. His strong stance against Israeli influence and calls for unity within the Arab community highlight ongoing regional tensions. Jumblatt’s announcement regarding the cessation of memorials for his father denotes a significant moment in his political narrative, while also responding to regional dynamics, including the controversial visit of Druze leaders to Israel.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
