Druze Spiritual Leader Opposes ‘Israeli Protection’
The spiritual leader of the Druze community in Lebanon has announced the group's refusal to accept what they perceive as an Israeli regime's proposal to ostensibly "protect" the minority.
Sheikh Sami Abi al-Muna delivered his comments during a meeting of Druze leaders in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on Friday.
He was addressing the regime’s numerous lethal and destructive intrusions into Syrian territory, actions it claims are conducted under the guise of “protecting” the Druze minority, who also constitute a minority in Syria.
Al-Muna stated that Tel Aviv’s request is “detrimental to our history and identity.”
Analysts interpreted the statements as a caution to the regime against aligning with the minority to further its expansionist ambitions in the region.
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The spiritual leader commented on the ongoing conflict in southern Syria, which has seen violent confrontations between the Druze community and Bedouin tribes, resulting in the deaths of hundreds.
He warned that the sectarian conflicts “provide a pretext for Israeli intervention and could escalate tensions in the region.”
The regime has escalated its attacks on Syria since the previous year, asserting that its aim is to halt the spillover of violence from the Arab nation into the occupied areas.
On Wednesday, the situation intensified dramatically as the regime launched a series of powerful airstrikes across Syria, targeting multiple areas including the capital, Damascus.
The assaults occurred in the midst of lethal clashes between the Druze and Bedouins, sparking concerns that Israeli action, ostensibly to back the Druze, sought to escalate the conflict and further undermine stability in Syria.
In light of the current circumstances, al-Muna has urged all parties involved to prioritize national dialogue as a means to address and resolve the issues facing various communities in Syria.
Lebanese Druze leader Walid Joumblatt has made a public appeal for the establishment of an investigative committee to examine alleged violations against both the Druze and Bedouin communities within the Arab nation.
The day before, he cautioned in an interview with France’s RFI radio station that “Israel is exploiting the Druze community to destabilize Syria.”
He stated that “Israel’s intention to divide the nation” was evident from the conflicts that emerged between the two communities in Syria.
