Trump Adviser Massad Boulos Claims Imminent Lebanon-Israel Peace Amid Controversy

Massad Boulos, Trump adviser, claims peace between Lebanon and Israel is imminent, drawing outrage for endorsing illegal Israeli settlements. His comments, made during a meeting with settler leader Yossi Dagan, sparked criticism for normalizing occupation and promoting land grabs. The potential for a peace deal is largely rejected in Lebanese society, especially given the history of conflict and current tensions.

Massad Boulos, an adviser to former U.S. President Donald Trump, recently made controversial remarks suggesting that peace between Lebanon and Israel is “imminent.” His comments were made during a meeting with Yossi Dagan, chairman of the Samaria Regional Council, which oversees several illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Boulos’s support for these settlers has drawn significant criticism, as it may be interpreted as normalizing Israel’s occupation and encouraging settlement growth in disputed territories.

During the meeting in Washington, Boulos expressed his support for the settlers, praising their efforts and emphasizing his hopes for peace between Israelis and Lebanese. His words, including a cordial greeting to Dagan, indicated a willingness to embrace those promoting settlements that defy international law. Critics have reacted strongly, particularly Palestinian advocates, who accuse him of aligning with those endorsing ethnic cleansing and land appropriation.

Dagan reciprocated Boulos’s support, highlighting the backing of Trump’s administration toward Israeli expansionist policies. His rhetoric reinforced a vision of a West Bank predominantly settled by Israelis. Meanwhile, Boulos’s background as a Lebanese billionaire and his commitment to mobilizing Arab American support for Trump set the stage for his current role in U.S.-Middle East affairs.

Speculation is growing around the potential for a peace agreement between Lebanon and Israel, although such notions are largely rejected within Lebanese society, where contact with Israelis is illegal. Tensions remain high, particularly following the lethal conflict between Hezbollah and Israel that resulted in significant casualties.

Lebanon’s leadership insists that any future discussions must include Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories and the adherence to the 1949 armistice agreement. The dialogue surrounding Lebanon’s potential normalization with Israel parallels recent statements from U.S. officials hinting at similar moves by Syria, though significant hurdles remain, particularly regarding Palestinian statehood.

Massad Boulos’s assertion of imminent peace between Lebanon and Israel, alongside his support for illegal settlements, has provoked strong backlash from a range of commentators. Boulos’s ties to Trump and advocacy for settlers illustrate complex dynamics in Middle Eastern politics, especially as Lebanon grapples with internal and external pressures regarding its stance on Israel. The prospect of a peace deal remains contentious, particularly amidst ongoing violations of ceasefire agreements and the memories of previous conflicts that continue to shape Lebanese public opinion.

Original Source: www.newarab.com