Walid Jumblatt warns Syrian Druze of foreign interference, urging unity against divisions. His remarks coincide with growing Israeli interactions with Syrian Druze and reflect concerns about their identity and heritage. He emphasizes the importance of resisting occupation and colonialism, while calling for justice related to his father’s assassination. Recent Israeli humanitarian efforts aim to strengthen ties with the Druze community, complicating the regional dynamics further.
Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt has issued a caution to Druze communities in Syria regarding foreign interference, urging vigilance against divisive influences. His remarks came during a ceremony in Mukhtara commemorating the 48th anniversary of his father, Kamal Jumblatt’s assassination. He emphasized the importance of preserving their Arab and Islamic identity and maintaining historical resistance against external forces.
Jumblatt called upon Syrian Druze to unite with their fellow Syrian and Arab citizens in opposing “occupation, colonialism, and mandates imposed on the Golan.” He warned against the dangers of “Zionist infiltration” and urged the community to avoid becoming instruments of division within Syria. His statements reflect growing apprehensions about Israeli engagement with Syrian Druze regions.
During the ceremony, Jumblatt announced that the annual commemoration of his father’s assassination would be discontinued, noting, “justice has finally been served, even if it took a long time,” in light of the recent apprehension of Ibrahim Huwayja, implicated in his father’s murder. Furthermore, he reaffirmed the Progressive Socialist Party’s commitment to Lebanon’s unity and Arab identity.
He stressed the necessity for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and called for the redefinition of Lebanon-Syria relations based on equitable foundations. Jumblatt also criticized the recent visit of around 100 Syrian Druze leaders to Israel, the first in 52 years, asserting that these gestures would not alter the reality of occupation in Palestine and the Golan Heights.
Reports indicated that this delegation, led by spiritual leader Muwafaq Tarif, visited Druze religious sites, although the details of any meetings with Israeli officials remain unclear. Concurrently, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced the provision of 10,000 humanitarian aid packages to southern Syrian Druze communities, highlighting the intent to strengthen ties with the Druze community, stating, “Supporting them is both a duty and an honour.” Additionally, investment plans for Druze and Circassian communities in the Golan Heights have been prioritized, amounting to $1 billion over five years.
Walid Jumblatt’s warnings highlight the critical situation faced by the Druze communities in Syria amid foreign influences. His call for unity and resistance against external pressures is pivotal for preserving their heritage and identity. The developments in Israeli-Syrian Druze relations also raise concerns about potential divisions, emphasizing the need for a careful approach to regional dynamics. Jumblatt’s commitment to Lebanon’s unity and Arab identity remains paramount in the current geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
