2024-09-08 21:26:52
Lebanon on the brink of change: The growing confrontation between the Christian community and Hezbollah is described in an article by the Jerusalem Center for Geopolitics and Security.
Since the outbreak of the war between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group, the situation in Lebanon has become much more tense, especially in relations between the Christian community and the Shiite group Hezbollah. Christian leaders condemn Hezbollah for unilaterally involving the country in the conflict with Israel, without taking into account the opinions of other political forces. This escalation occurs against the backdrop of a serious economic crisis and a political blockade related to Hezbollah’s obstruction of the Lebanese presidential elections.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has openly criticized Christian politicians and religious leaders for their refusal to support military action against Israel. In response, Christian opposition forces say that most Lebanese do not support participation in this war.
There have been notable changes within the Christian political spectrum. Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces party and a vocal opponent of Hezbollah, has strengthened his position. At the same time, Gebran Bassil, the head of the Free Patriotic Movement and a Hezbollah ally, has lost support after four MPs left his bloc.
Amid mounting criticism, Hezbollah has sought to manipulate demographic data. The group’s loyal media outlets have published a poll claiming that Christians make up just 15.7 percent of Lebanon’s population, well below the generally accepted 33-35 percent. The move is seen as an attempt to undermine the existing political balance, although the poll’s methodology raises serious questions.
Plans to turn Lebanon into an Iranian province are not new to Hezbollah – Nasrallah spoke of this as early as 1985. After the end of the war with Israel, Hezbollah will likely step up its efforts to change the political landscape of Lebanon in its favor.
Earlier, Cursor reported that Israel is threatened by several other terrorist organizations besides Hezbollah.