Netanyahu’s Christian comments ‘aimed at sowing strife’: Lebanese analysts | Israel attacks Lebanon News
Beirut, Lebanon — Several Christian villages in Lebanon issued a statement on Monday refuting claims made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that they had requested annexation by Israel. Netanyahu, in an appearance on Fox News, asserted that some Christian villages sought annexation as a means of protection against Hezbollah.
“Christian villages in Lebanon… have actually asked to be annexed to Israel, because we protect them against Hezbollah, Hezbollah fanatics who want to kill them,” Netanyahu stated during the program.
Currently, Israel occupies approximately six percent of Lebanese territory, despite its assertion in a recent framework agreement with Lebanon that it harbors no territorial ambitions in the country.
Lebanese analysts and residents of southern Lebanon criticized Netanyahu’s comments, with some describing his statements as misleading. Karim Emile Bitar, a professor of international relations at Saint Joseph University in Beirut, described Netanyahu as a “pathological liar” and emphasized that local officials had contacted every mayor in the affected regions, affirming there was “absolutely no truth” to the prime minister’s claims.
A joint statement from officials in 15 towns with Christian populations denounced what they deemed an effort to incite division among Lebanese communities.
Netanyahu’s remarks followed widespread criticism of a U.S.-brokered agreement aimed at ending hostilities between Lebanon and Israel. The recent escalation began on March 2, when Hezbollah launched six rockets at Israeli targets for the first time in over a year, prompting increased Israeli military responses across Lebanon, including in the capital Beirut.
In recent months, Israel has faced international backlash for its military actions against Lebanese targets, which include incidents affecting Christian communities. Notably, an Israeli soldier faced backlash for vandalizing a statue of Jesus in April, while a priest was reportedly killed by Israeli tank fire in southern Lebanon earlier in March. Additionally, a member of a Christian political party was killed in Beirut in early April.
A resident of Jdeidet Marjayoun, a southern town, characterized Netanyahu’s statements as “propaganda” and “false,” opting to remain anonymous due to the nature of their work.
Lebanon’s political landscape is heavily influenced by sectarian divisions, with leadership positions often split among Maronite Christians, Sunni Muslims, and Shia representatives. Analysts suggest that Netanyahu’s comments may be aimed at heightening tensions within this fragile sectarian system, potentially leading to internal conflict. More than 1.2 million people have been displaced from their homes during the recent violence, many of whom are Shia Muslims seeking refuge in areas with different sectarian demographics.
Bitar remarked, “This seems to be clearly intended to sow civil strife in Lebanon, to pit the Lebanese against one another.” While tensions have so far not escalated into widespread violence, Lebanon remains split on its views regarding Hezbollah and its armed resistance. Despite internal divisions, the Lebanese population generally expresses a negative perception of Israel.
A poll conducted by Jad Melki from Lebanese American University indicated that a majority of respondents, 54 percent, believe diplomacy is the only way forward, while 87 percent view Israel as an enemy.
Lebanese officials strongly condemned Netanyahu’s remarks. Melhem Khalaf, a Greek Orthodox MP from Beirut, stated during a press conference that Netanyahu “does not have the right to speak on behalf of Christians.” Hanna al-Amil, the mayor of the predominantly Christian municipality of Rmeish, also affirmed that “no village in the South has made such a request.”
Analysts noted that Israel’s strategy of attempting to exploit sectarian divisions is not new and has previously been employed in conflicts such as those in Syria. Bitar stressed the importance of Lebanese unity in countering Israeli efforts to incite discord, stating, “There is a need for all Lebanese to remain united and remain determined to nip in the bud all Israeli attempts to sow civil strife in Lebanon.”