Jumblatt Cautions Syrian Druze Against Foreign Influence and Division

Walid Jumblatt, the Lebanese Druze leader, cautioned Syrian Druze against foreign interference during a ceremony marking his father’s death anniversary. He urged them to preserve their identity amid rising Israeli outreach, emphasizing unity against occupation. Jumblatt also announced the end of the annual commemoration of his father’s assassination, linking it to recent justice gained through an arrest related to the case.

Walid Jumblatt, the Lebanese Druze leader, has cautioned Druze communities in Syria to remain vigilant against foreign influences, encouraging them to resist divisions that might be imposed upon the nation. During a ceremony in Mukhtara commemorating the 48th anniversary of his father Kamal Jumblatt’s assassination, he urged the Syrian Druze to uphold their historical resistance and maintain their Arab and Islamic identity, as reported by The New Arab.

In his address, Jumblatt called on the Druze people to protect their collective struggle alongside Syrian and Arab counterparts against “occupation, colonialism, and mandates imposed on the Golan.” He emphasized the need to safeguard their Islamic heritage, remain cautious of “Zionist infiltration,” and prevent any community member from becoming a tool for Syria’s division.

Jumblatt’s warning appears in response to a growing concern regarding renewed Israeli outreach to Syrian Druze, prompting criticism from regional leaders. Concurrently, Jumblatt announced that the annual commemoration of his father’s assassination would be discontinued, stating that “justice has finally been served,” referring to the recent arrest of Ibrahim Huwayja, a former Syrian official implicated in his father’s death.

During his remarks, Jumblatt reaffirmed the Progressive Socialist Party’s dedication to Lebanon’s unity and Arab identity. He reiterated calls for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and advocated for the reestablishment of Lebanon-Syria relations based on new principles. Furthermore, he voiced disapproval of a recent visit by approximately 100 Syrian Druze leaders to Israel, branding it as merely symbolic while asserting that it would not alter the reality of occupation in Palestinian territories or the Golan Heights.

In conclusion, Walid Jumblatt has issued a warning to Syrian Druze communities about the dangers of foreign influence and division within Syria. His call for vigilance and resistance against external pressures highlights the significance of unity among Druze and broader Arab peoples. Jumblatt’s condemnation of recent outreach attempts from Israel underscores the complex geopolitics at play, while his commitment to Lebanese sovereignty and identity remains steadfast.

Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com