Walid Jumblatt warns Druze communities in Syria against foreign interference, advocating for unity and vigilance against attempts to divide the nation. He emphasizes the importance of preserving their identity and heritage, while criticizing Israeli outreach. Jumblatt also announces the discontinuation of annual commemoration for his father’s assassination, noting recent justice in this regard, and underscores the need for Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.
Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt has issued a cautionary message to Druze communities in Syria, advising them to stay alert against foreign interference. He emphasized the importance of resisting attempts to fragment the country and urged the preservation of their shared heritage. Speaking during a ceremony in Mukhtara that marked the 48th anniversary of his father Kamal Jumblatt’s assassination, he underscored their historical resistance and the need to protect their Arab and Islamic identity, as reported by The New Arab.
In his address, Jumblatt called on Syrian Druze to champion their collective fight alongside Syrian and Arab citizens against “occupation, colonialism, and mandates imposed on the Golan.” He expressed concerns over potential threats to their Islamic legacy, warning about “Zionist infiltration” and the necessity to prevent anyone from becoming an agent for Syria’s division. His remarks reflect rising anxiety regarding Israel’s outreach to the Syrian Druze, which has drawn criticism from various regional leaders.
Jumblatt also announced the cessation of the annual commemoration of his father’s assassination, stating, “justice has finally been served, even if it took a long time.” This reference was made in connection to the recent detention of Ibrahim Huwayja, who is implicated in Kamal Jumblatt’s assassination. During his speech, he reaffirmed his party’s dedication to the unity of Lebanon and its Arab identity, while also demanding a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
Furthermore, Jumblatt emphasized the urgency of establishing clear maritime and land borders between Lebanon and Syria, advocating for the rebuilding of relations between the two nations on firm new principles. He criticized the recent visit of approximately 100 Syrian Druze leaders to Israel, marking the first such encounter in over five decades. He characterized the visit as merely symbolic, asserting that “a visit, religious or otherwise, will not change the fact of occupation in Palestine and the Golan Heights.”
In conclusion, Walid Jumblatt’s warnings to the Druze communities in Syria reflect serious concerns about foreign influence and potential divisions within the country. He advocates for historical resistance and unity with Syrian and Arab citizens while urging vigilance against foreign manipulations, particularly from Israel. His calls for the defense of their Islamic identity and regional collaborations underscore the importance of maintaining sovereignty and heritage in the face of external pressures.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
