Jumblatt Warns Syrian Druze Against Foreign Influence and Division
Walid Jumblatt, Lebanese Druze leader, cautioned Syrian Druze against foreign manipulation, urging unity against occupation. He emphasized historical resistance and cultural identity while condemning a recent Israeli delegation visit. Jumblatt’s remarks correlate with heightened Israeli ties and humanitarian aid initiatives towards Druze communities in Syria, alongside his call for comprehensive Israeli troop withdrawal from Lebanon.
Walid Jumblatt, the prominent Lebanese Druze leader, has issued a stern warning to Druze communities in Syria concerning potential foreign influences. He implored them to take a stand against divisive tactics and protect their united identity. At a ceremony commemorating the 48th anniversary of his father’s assassination, Jumblatt emphasized the importance of historical resistance and preserving their Arab and Islamic heritage.
Jumblatt called upon the Syrian Druze to join their fellow Syrian and Arab citizens in their ongoing struggle against “occupation, colonialism, and mandates imposed on the Golan.” His message also included a caution against “Zionist infiltration” and urged careful scrutiny to ensure no Druze individuals act as agents of division. This warning arises amidst rising concerns over Israeli approaches to Syrian Druze, sparking significant reactions from various regional authorities.
In conjunction with his address, Jumblatt announced the cessation of the annual commemoration of his father’s assassination, marking a shift in his political approach. He remarked that “justice has finally been served,” in light of the arrest of Ibrahim Huwayja, who is believed to be linked to his father’s death. Jumblatt reinforced the commitment of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) to uphold Lebanon’s unity and Arab identity.
He further demanded the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and proposed the redrawing of Lebanon-Syria maritime and land borders based on new foundational principles for relations between the two nations. Additionally, Jumblatt criticized a notable visit by a hundred Syrian Druze leaders to Israel, the first in over five decades, labeling it as merely symbolic and asserting that such visits would not alter the reality of occupation in Palestine and the Golan Heights.
Israeli media provided details that the aforementioned visit was facilitated by Muwafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Israeli Druze community, and included visits to significant religious sites; however, the nature of any meetings with Israeli officials remains uncertain. In news related to this community, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar revealed that Israel had sent 10,000 humanitarian aid packages to Druze enclaves in southern Syria, with the intention of reinforcing connections. He stated: “We have a strong alliance with our Druze brothers. Supporting them is both a duty and an honour.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed these sentiments, claiming efforts to neutralize threats to the Druze community, including plans to permit Syrian Druze workers access to the occupied Golan Heights. Furthermore, Israel approved a substantial investment package valued at $1 billion over five years, aimed at strengthening Druze and Circassian communities in various regions including Golan Heights, Galilee, and Mount Carmel.
Walid Jumblatt’s address highlights essential concerns regarding foreign interference, particularly from Israeli elements, within Syrian Druze communities. His call for unity and vigilance against divisive tactics underscores the community’s historical resistance. Additionally, the political landscape surrounding Israeli-Syrian relations remains complex, reflected in Jumblatt’s criticisms of recent diplomatic gestures and the broader implications of humanitarian aid initiatives. The discussion emphasizes a robust commitment to maintaining cultural and political integrity among the Druze amidst external pressures.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
