Latest news with #Jumblatt
Middle East Eye
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Walid Jumblatt says Arab leaders must wake up to Israeli expansionism
Anyone looking for clues to the ambitions of Israeli expansionism should read the Bible, Walid Jumblatt, the leader of the Druze in Lebanon, has told Middle East Eye. With Israeli forces launching a new offensive in Gaza, and with their fellow soldiers deployed across the West Bank, southern Lebanon and Syria, Jumblatt warned that the prospect of a 'greater Israel' inspired by biblical borders could not be disregarded. 'We used to say a long time ago that greater Israel stretches from the Nile to the Euphrates. It seems it's being slowly but surely accomplished,' Jumblatt said. The 75-year-old is a canny survivor of the complex political and diplomatic intrigues that have swirled over the region for decades, as well as of Lebanon's long civil war during which Jumblatt rose to prominence after his father, Kamal Jumblatt, was assassinated in 1977. Speaking at his home in Beirut as US President Donald Trump was touring the Gulf, Jumblatt said there was no one left to protect the Palestinians, either in the region or the rest of the world. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters He was contemptuous of Gulf leaders who plied Trump with multi-billion-dollar contracts and gifts. He called them 'hooligans', and did not give any credence to the view that they could persuade Trump to stop Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's increasingly personal crusade in Gaza. He bleakly predicted that Gaza would be 'totally eliminated', with more than two million Palestinians forced to leave. After that it would be the turn of the Palestinians in the West Bank - and eventually also the East Bank, in what is now Jordan. 'They said that Moses is buried somewhere there. Who knows [where Israel's military campaigns will stop] because you are dealing with history, ideology. We have got to read the Bible again,' Jumblatt said. But the veteran leader, whose Druze-dominated Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) was once allied with the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), was adamant the struggle for Palestine would continue, even after the current battle is over. 'Arab soldiers are good soldiers, very good soldiers. And the Lebanese resistance and the Islamic resistance are excellent soldiers. But now you are facing a new technology. Maybe one day, we'll have this technology. We'll fight them with their own weapons. We're not inferior. And they're not superior,' he said. Meeting Ahmed al-Sharaa Jumblatt was confident that Israel would not succeed in its efforts to split Syria into three by unilaterally announcing it would protect the Druze in the south and the Kurds in the north. Israel has seized territory in southern Syria, including the strategic summit of Mount Hermon, since the overthrow of the Assad dynasty in December and the emergence of a transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Earlier this month, Israel's leaders said air strikes it carried out near the presidential palace in Damascus were intended as a warning to the new government that it would act against any threat to the Druze in the south of the country. Revealed: How Israel's plan to carve up Syria was thwarted by Assad's downfall Read More » Jumblatt welcomed US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria and described Sharaa, whom he has now met twice, as a 'very clever man'. 'He knows what he wants and in five months he has been able to make the world recognise him,' Jumblatt said. He revealed that he is now working with Sharaa to incorporate the Syrian Druze armed factions into the Syrian army. He said he went to Damascus to tell the Druze of Lebanon, Syria and Israel that he recognised the legitimacy of the new ruler in Damascus. 'I went to Damascus and we are working with him on a way to incorporate Syrian Druze armed men … slowly but surely, into the new apparatus of the state. This is the only way to calm some fears of the Druze.' Jumblatt dismissed the appeals to Israel for help from Mowafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze in Israel. He said Sheikh Tarif could not act on behalf of Israel, or issue pronouncements on behalf of the Druze in Syria or Lebanon because his community is 'too small' to do so. This is not the first time Jumblatt has clashed with Sheikh Tarif. Before Bashar al-Assad's fall, Jumblatt sent Tarif a letter condemning him for receiving Netanyahu in the aftermath of an incident in the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights town of Majd Shams, in which 12 civilians, among them 10 children, were killed. Israeli officials blamed a Hezbollah rocket for the deaths, but residents - who are mainly Syrian Druze - blamed shrapnel from an Israeli Iron Dome missile. Israel has a small Druze community which historically is divided politically from the 24,000 Druze who live in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which it captured from Syria in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. The Druze inside Israel are citizens and serve in the Israeli army, although there have been protests among some in their community at serving in Gaza. The Syrian Druze in the occupied Golan mostly refuse Israeli citizenship. Jumblatt said the Druze did not seek Israel's protection: 'It does not protect anybody historically speaking, so let them keep their nice feelings towards us to themselves.' Walid Jumblatt warned that making peace with Israel could be more dangerous for Lebanon than the current situation (Middle East Eye) Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun won plaudits at home for saying that Hezbollah's disarmament would come through dialogue and not through force. But hehas come under pressure from Washington to speed up the disarmament of Hezbollah, brushing aside fears this could lead to civil strife. 'There is a ceasefire from one side only. The Israelis are daily infringing the ceasefire, with bombings and killing' - Walid Jumblatt Jumblatt said Hezbollah is already being disarmed by the Lebanese Army, of which Aoun was formerly commander in chief. But he said Israel's repeated violations of a ceasefire deal agreed in November were an 'anomaly' that complicated the situation. 'There is a ceasefire from one side only. The Israelis are daily infringing the ceasefire, with bombings and killing. And this could yet lead to some trouble,' he said. Jumblatt said it was very important to incorporate Hezbollah fighters into the army, but it was equally important to reconstruct the homes in the borderland that were demolished by Israel. Nearly one quarter of all buildings in municipalities near the border were demolished, according to analysis of satellite data by the Washington Post. 'Why should we link the reconstruction of the south to the rearrangement of the banking sector? We should not. Until now, the Americans are forbidding any attempt to reconstruct and to give us money.' Hezbollah outgunned Hezbollah stepped up rocket attacks against Israel in response to Israel's attack on Gaza, forcing at least tens of thousands of Israelis to evacuate from towns and villages in the north of the country. Israel responded in September 2024 by launching massive air strikes which killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other senior officials, and then with a full-scale ground assault on southern Lebanon in October 2024. Jumblatt said Hezbollah had fought bravely but been massively outgunned. Hezbollah not only had big gaps in their intelligence but believed they could maintain a balance of power with Israel, he said. 'It proved to be nonsense, because we are fighting a totally new technology, which is western technology. On the ground they fought very well but the price of that fight was terrible on the Shia in the south and elsewhere. And they were also infiltrated by the enemy - as we saw when Nasrallah was killed.' Hezbollah at a crossroads as Lebanon pushes for arms monopoly Read More » Jumblatt has a complicated history with the Lebanese militant group. Having supported the resistance for over three decades, and having opposed the US-led wars against Iraq in 1991 and 2003, he switched sides in 2005 after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Jumblatt aligned himself with the anti-Hezbollah, US-backed 'March 14' political alliance. In 2006 he blamed Hezbollah for provoking Israel's 33-day war. However, he soon became disillusioned with American policy and is deeply sceptical today of the notion that US policy in Lebanon and the region has any chance of succeeding. Although he stepped down as leader of the Progressive Socialist Party in 2023, Jumblatt retains the political aspirations of the party founded by his father, which attempted to cross confessional red lines. 'We have to change the constitution. We have to make the religious groups in Lebanon understand that it's for their sake and for our sake. Confessionalism is obstructing the unity of the Lebanese.' But Jumblatt said Lebanon should never normalise with Israel while it occupies land in Syria and Lebanon. 'Let's keep our stand with Israel as we keep the armistice agreement. No war and no peace. No peace is safer for Lebanon than making peace. You don't know where you end up with peace with Israel,' he said, laughing.
L'Orient-Le Jour
08-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Jumblatt thanks Macron after Sharaa's visit to the Elysee
Druze leader Walid Jumblatt thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for his "courage and audacity," following the reception at the Elysee on Wednesday of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, during a first controversial visit to the West by the de facto leader of Syria. "Dear President Macron, I congratulate you on your courage and audacity in favor of the advent of a new Syria, free from oppression and dictatorship, in the face of dismantling projects carried by certain external powers. Thank you for this great support in favor of the stability of Syria and Lebanon," wrote the former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP). Last Friday, Jumblatt traveled for the second time to Syria to meet its new leader, since the fall of the dictatorial regime of Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8, 2024. After the deadly clashes that occurred about ten days ago between Syrian Druze and Sunnis, raising fears of a threat of partition of the country, the former PSP leader renewed his unconditional support for the unity of Syria, on which he largely believes Lebanon's unity depends. For Jumblatt, it is about vigorously defending the Arab anchoring of the Druze and refusing Israel any alleged right to defend this community, which has a significant presence in southern Syria, at the border with the Hebrew state. Israel is accused by some experts of wanting to sow division in this country, a precursor to the partition of the country, notably to avoid having a strong Islamist power at its border.
Jordan News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Jumblatt: The Enemy Is Obstructing the Political Solution in Syria - Jordan News
Former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt, on Saturday condemned the repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, the latest of which were airstrikes targeting areas around Damascus and other regions late Friday into Saturday. اضافة اعلان "I strongly denounce this blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty, which hinders the completion of the political solution we are working on with President Ahmed Al-Shara," Jumblatt stated. "I renew my call for Arab states and the international community to provide full support to Syria, stand by its side in rebuilding a new state and future, and to safeguard its national security and citizens. Pressure must be exerted on the Israeli enemy to stop its blatant interventions and continued violations by air and land, as well as its occupation of parts of Syrian land." According to Lebanon's National News Agency, Jumblatt met with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara on Friday but left without making a public statement. Syrian media later reported that he had rejected calls for separation or international protection advocated by some within the Druze community. Sources told Syria TV that Jumblatt emphasized the need for weapons to remain solely in the hands of the state, and called for the formation of an independent investigation committee to determine who was responsible for recent violent incidents in Jaramana and Sahnaya. His visit to Damascus comes just days after sectarian clashes erupted in southern areas of the capital, including Jaramana, Sahnaya, and Sweida, leaving dozens dead or injured.
Ya Libnan
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Syria on the brink: Disarming minorities without protection risks fragmentation
File: A Druze woman holds up a sign reading 'no to sectarianism, long live a free and unified Syria' at a demonstration in southern Syria's Druze-majority Suwayda province, 3/1/2025 (Suwayda 24) By Ya Libnan Editorial Board Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has been calling on the country's armed minorities to hand over their weapons to the state. But what state is he referring to? Syria no longer has a functioning national army. Instead, its so-called security forces are a patchwork of Islamic extremists, many of them foreign fighters brought in from across the Islamic world. How can Syria's minorities—particularly the Druze and Alawites—trust a regime that cannot protect them? Who will shield them from the extremists once they are disarmed? Unless things change dramatically, Syria is heading toward fragmentation. The Druze and Alawite communities have already come under repeated attack. Hundreds have been killed. Despite this, President Sharaa continues to insist that minorities must disarm. Yesterday, prominent Druze leader Walid Jumblatt visited Damascus to urge President Sharaa to reconsider. Jumblatt made it clear: the Druze are not opposed to handing over their arms. But they need a real army—a national, unified military force—not militias and extremist groups masquerading as state security. Without this, disarming would be suicidal. Jumblatt's visit follows a powerful and unified statement from Druze community leaders, spiritual authorities, and prominent figures in Sweida. Speaking in the name of 'the spiritual leadership of the Druze community, its religious authorities, dignitaries, and the community at large,' they affirmed that the Druze are an integral part of a united Syria and reject any plans for division or separation. Their statement stressed an unwavering commitment to a Syria that includes all Syrians—free from destructive strife, sectarianism, personal grudges, or tribal vengeance, which they rightly described as legacies of ignorance. The Druze community has long played a decisive role in Syria's history. In 1925, Druze leader Sultan Pasha al-Atrash led the Great Syrian Revolt against French colonial rule, paving the way for Syrian independence. The Druze have historically been pillars of Syrian nationalism and unity. Their continued persecution would not only betray their historical contribution but also risk pushing them to the brink of secession. As Syria edges closer to collapse, sectarian tensions and foreign interference threaten to tear the country apart. Meanwhile, Syria's neighbors are watching—and exploiting—the chaos. Israel and Turkey are both actively seeking strategic gains from the weakening of the Syrian state. Iran, too, has long worked to shape Syria's future to suit its own regional ambitions. These powers have a vested interest in a fragmented Syria. If President Sharaa fails to act quickly and decisively to protect the country's minorities and rebuild a national army, Syria may be lost. The cost of inaction is not just political—it is existential. The failure to safeguard Syria's diverse communities could lead to irreversible fragmentation and fulfill the long-standing ambitions of foreign powers seeking to divide the country once and for all.
Ya Libnan
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Jumblatt urged Sharaa to form a committee to determine who is behind the killing of Syria's Druze
Photo: Former PSP leader Wald Jumblatt ( L) Syrian president Ahmed al Sharaa (C) and Lebanon's Druze spiritual leader Dr. Samil Abil Mona (R) . Jumblatt's son Taylor also attended the meeting but all left the palace without making any statement By Ya Libnan Lebanese website Al-Nashra reported that Saudi Arabia arranged the visit of former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt to Damascus for a meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. According to the information it has received from its sources 'the results of the meeting were vague and discouraging, and do not suggest the imposition of a settlement that Jumblatt is working to achieve. 'This is due to al-Sharaa's insistence on his conditions regarding the disarmament of the Druze the Syrian state's control over all Druze areas, similar to what happened on the Syrian coast', Al Nashra added 'This was reportedly rejected by the Druze of Sweida, who fear reprisals against their people if they surrender their weapons to Damascus, especially since the Syrian state has no army, but rather consists of extremist Islamist militants from various countries that operate under HTS which controls the state of Syria'. Al Nashra added. Informed sources told Al-Nashra that matters remain open in all directions, awaiting the results of ongoing regional and international engagement. There are many conflicting reports about Jumblatt's visit Syria LBC reported that Jumblatt concluded his talks with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and left the People's Palace without making any statement.' LBC added that Jumblatt had previously held extensive contacts with the new Syrian administration, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan, and asked the relevant parties to work toward a ceasefire in the Druze-majority areas near Damascus , Namely Sahnaya, Ashrafieh and Jaramana LBC added that Jumblatt also called for maintaining the ceasefire, as a delegation from Jabal al-Arab is expected to arrive, including the two Druze sheikhs, Sheikh Hamoud al-Hinnawi and Sheikh Youssef Jarbou, the leader of the 'Men of Dignity' movement, Sheikh Yahya al-Hijjri and Prince Hassan al-Atrash, in addition to a delegation of sheikhs and dignitaries, to formulate a final formula that guarantees the prevention of a return to internal fighting, which only benefits the Syria's enemies On the other hand Al Jazeera quoted an official Syrian source as saying that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Sheibani received Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt at the People's Palace in Damascus and in their meeting they discussed the latest developments in Sweida and the Damascus countryside, revealing that Jumblatt assured Sharaa of his rejection of the request for international protection and stressed the need to restrict the possession of weapons to the state, provided the State can guarantee their protection. According to Al Jazeera, Jumblatt called for the formation of a committee to identify and determine those responsible for the events in Jaramana and Sahnaya. This comes after Druze community leaders, spiritual authorities and prominent figures in Sweida affirmed that they are an integral part of a united Syria and that they reject any plans for division or separation. This came in a statement issued yesterday and published by the Sweida Governorate on its official Telegram channel. The statement was issued in the name of 'the spiritual leadership of the Druze community, its religious authorities, dignitaries and the community at large.' In their statement, they said: 'We affirm our unwavering national stance, passed down to us from our forefathers and nourished by our mothers' pure milk: we are an inseparable part of the unified Syrian homeland. Our country is our honour, our Syrianness is our dignity, and love of the homeland is part of faith. We reject division, dismemberment, or separation.' They stressed their commitment to a Syria that includes all Syrians, free from destructive strife, sectarianism, personal grudges, or tribal vengeance, which they described as legacies of ignorance that were abolished by the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) and eradicated by Islam. The Druze community played a decisive role in Syria's history. In 1925, Druze leader Sultan Pasha al-Atrash led the Great Syrian Revolt against French colonial rule , paving the way for Syria's independence . The Druze have long been pillars of Syrian nationalism and unity. Their continued persecution would not only betray their historical contribution but also risk pushing them to the brink of secession . Syria, under the current regime of Ahmed Sharaa, appears to be heading toward fragmentation. Despite his earlier promises to protect Syria's diverse communities, Sharaa is now showing troubling signs of reverting to his extremist roots in Al Qaeda and ISIS. These shifts have heightened tensions and escalated clashes, particularly targeting the Druze and Alawite communities. As Syria edges closer to collapse, sectarian tensions and foreign interference threaten to tear the country apart. Sharaa's failure to protect the country's minorities could lead to irreversible fragmentation—and fulfill the long-standing ambitions of foreign powers seeking a divided Syria, like Iran, Israel, and Turkey
