Walid Jumblatt cautions Syrian Druze on foreign interference, emphasizes unity against external influences, and critiques recent Israeli engagement. He reaffirms his commitment to Lebanese identity and urges protection of Islamic heritage amidst concerns over Israeli outreach.
Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt has expressed alarm regarding foreign influence in Syria, urging local Druze communities to remain united against attempts to disrupt the nation’s integrity. Speaking in Mukhtara during a ceremony commemorating the 48th anniversary of his father Kamal Jumblatt’s assassination, he emphasized the importance of maintaining their Arab and Islamic identity in light of external pressures.
Jumblatt appealed to the Druze in Syria, encouraging them to defend their common struggle alongside Syrian and Arab citizens against issues such as “occupation, colonialism, and mandates imposed on the Golan”. He called for vigilance against potential “Zionist infiltration” that could exploit divisions amongst their community, urging loyalty to their historical resistance.
These remarks come amid rising concerns surrounding increasing Israeli engagement with Syrian Druze, which has drawn criticism from regional leaders. In conjunction with his speech, Jumblatt announced the discontinuation of the annual commemoration of his father’s assassination, affirming that justice had finally been served following the arrest of Ibrahim Huwayja, a former intelligence chief responsible for his father’s death.
Throughout his address, Jumblatt reiterated the Progressive Socialist Party’s commitment to Lebanese unity and its Arab identity. He also demanded a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and called for a redefinition of relations between Lebanon and Syria based on new principles.
In a notable critique, Jumblatt addressed the recent visit of approximately 100 Syrian Druze leaders to Israel—the first in five decades—labeling it as merely symbolic and asserting that such visits do not alter the reality of occupation in Palestine and the Golan Heights. The visit, allegedly coordinated by Muwafaq Tarif, the Israeli Druze community’s spiritual leader, included stops at religious sites, although their meetings with Israeli officials remain unconfirmed.
Separately, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar revealed that 10,000 humanitarian aid packages have been dispatched to Druze communities in southern Syria, aimed at fortifying relations with them. “We have a strong alliance with our Druze brothers. Supporting them is both a duty and an honour,” he stated. Additionally, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed intentions to allow Syrian Druze workers into the occupied Golan Heights and announced a substantial investment in Druze and Circassian communities in the region.
Walid Jumblatt’s remarks underscore the critical situation faced by Syrian Druze in navigating foreign influences, particularly from Israel. He calls for vigilance among the community to protect their identity and integrity amidst growing foreign engagements. His critique of the recent delegation to Israel reflects deep-rooted concerns about the implications of such interactions. Overall, Jumblatt emphasizes unity among Lebanese and Syrian Arabs against external threats.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
