US adviser Massad Boulos claims Lebanon-Israel peace could be near, stirring controversy for praising Israeli settlers in the West Bank. His comments, made during a meeting with an extremist settler leader, faced backlash as Palestinian advocates condemned his views as supportive of illegal occupations. Lebanon’s leaders prioritize territorial withdrawal before discussions on normalization amid ongoing tensions and historical conflict with Israel.
Massad Boulos, an adviser to former US President Trump, recently suggested that peace between Lebanon and Israel could be achieved soon. His support for Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank has drawn significant backlash as many view it as a legitimization of Israel’s illegal occupation and settlement expansion in Palestinian territories. Boulos made these comments during a meeting with Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, which oversees 35 settlements built in violation of international law.
During the meeting in Washington, Boulos praised the settlers and used the Israeli term “Samaria” for the West Bank, a designation favored by far-right factions. He expressed his appreciation for the settlers and articulated hopes for peace, stating, “We are looking forward to peace… and by the grace of God, this will be achieved, hopefully, soon.” This statement incited criticism from Palestinian advocates who denounced him for supporting those complicit in land appropriations and ethnic cleansing.
Dagan, a prominent hardline settler leader, supported Boulos’s sentiments and credited Trump’s administration for its unwavering support of Israeli interests, including the expansion of settlements. He asserted, “I believe… God sent us to walk together for the future of the Middle East and the future of the world,” aligning with a vision that favors Israeli settler domination in the West Bank.
Boulos, a billionaire with a Lebanese background, previously attempted to engage Arab American voters for Trump and subsequently gained a position as an adviser on Middle East affairs due to his close ties to the former president. His remarks come amidst rising speculations about a peace agreement with Israel, a concept widely opposed in Lebanese society, which does not officially recognize Israel.
The historical context of conflict between Lebanon and Israel includes significant hostilities, including a war that resulted in the deaths of over 6,000 Lebanese, predominantly non-combatants. Although the ceasefire remains ostensibly in place, incidents such as Israeli airstrikes and border violations continue to disturb the fragile peace. Lebanon’s leadership insists that any negotiations must prioritize Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories before discussing normalization.
Recent comments from US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff suggested that Lebanon and Syria might soon normalize relations with Israel, citing Hezbollah’s military losses and instability in Syria. Israel’s Foreign Minister hinted at potential normalization between Lebanon and Israel, which Riyadh associates with the condition of Palestinian independence.
Massad Boulos’s controversial statements about Lebanon-Israel peace have ignited strong criticism due to his support for Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The backlash underscores Lebanon’s complex relationship with Israel, heightened by historical conflicts and current geopolitical dynamics. While the normalization of relations is speculated, many in Lebanese society strongly oppose any measures that do not first address territorial occupations and the rights of Palestinians.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
