Netanyahu Lauds Lebanese Government: A Surprising Diplomatic Shift!

Lebanon is currently on edge as it anticipates the return of US presidential envoy Thomas Barrack, who will be bringing a crucial response from Tel Aviv regarding the Lebanese government’s recent decision to comply with the US-Israeli directive to disarm the resistance movement. This ongoing situation highlights the complexities of regional politics and the delicate balance of power in the area.

In addition to Barrack’s visit, Lebanon will also welcome French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and Saudi envoy Yazid bin Farhan. These diplomatic efforts underscore the international community’s interest in stabilizing Lebanon amidst rising tensions.

The US government has voiced serious concerns about the ongoing tensions along Lebanon’s southern border. Officials claim that Hezbollah’s recent actions, including repeated strikes on occupied Palestinian territories, are endangering civilian safety. Washington’s principal Arabic-language spokesperson urged for restraint, stating: “These actions endanger civilians and threaten to drag the region into a broader confrontation,” while reiterating the US’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability.

Mitchell, a US official, expressed his support for the Lebanese government’s recent decisions, describing them as “historic, courageous, and correct.” He emphasized the importance of these steps in realizing the principle of one army, one people, in one homeland, and noted their role in paving the way for the disarmament of Hezbollah.

He added that concrete measures in this direction are vital to prevent any new conflicts in the region. The spokesperson concluded by highlighting the ongoing coordination between Washington and its partners to support these efforts, maintain calm, and avert further deterioration in southern Lebanon’s security situation.

In light of the Lebanese government’s recent provocative decision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has commented on the situation, claiming that Israel has played a role in assisting Lebanon with its efforts to disarm Hezbollah. During a press conference, he stated: “What is currently happening in Lebanon is caused by Israel.”

A recent opinion poll conducted by the Statistics and Opinion Polls Department at the Consulting Centre for Studies and Documentation between July 27 and August 4 reveals significant public sentiment regarding the disarmament of Hezbollah. The survey indicates that a majority of Lebanese citizens, approximately 58%, oppose disarming the resistance’s weapons without a comprehensive defense strategy.

Details from the poll show:

• Half of the Sunni respondents oppose disarmament.
• About a third of Christians share this opposition.
• Even more Druze respondents express similar concerns.

With a sample size of 600 respondents (54% male and 46% female), the survey reflects a diverse cross-section of Lebanon’s population across various regions, sects, and age groups, with an estimated margin of error of approximately 5%.

Interestingly, the sample includes an equal proportion of Shiite and Sunni respondents (30%), while Christians constitute around 34%, and Druze make up approximately 7%.

Furthermore, the findings indicate that:

• Approximately 72% of respondents believe the Lebanese army alone is not capable of confronting any Israeli aggression.
• About 76% assert that diplomatic efforts alone cannot deter such aggression.

The survey reveals widespread concern among Lebanese citizens, spanning all sects, regarding the potential existential threat posed by developments in Syria to Lebanon. In a related finding, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by a member of the Lebanese Forces, ranked lowest in public trust among official institutions.

When asked about their stance on withdrawing the resistance’s weapons without a defensive strategy, the responses were as follows:

• 96% of Shiite respondents opposed the disarmament.
• 50% of Sunni respondents also expressed opposition.
• 46% of Druze respondents agreed with this sentiment.
• 32% of Christians opposed the move.

Across the board, a significant majority (92% of Shiites and 63.3% of other sects) agree that the Lebanese army alone cannot effectively address any Israeli aggression. Additionally, respondents from all sects share a belief that diplomacy is insufficient for deterrence, with approximately 80% of Shiites, 53% of Sunnis, 50% of Druze, and 41% of Christians expressing this view.

A substantial percentage of respondents perceive the unfolding events in Syria as an existential threat to Lebanon, raising concerns about internal stability and the risk of militant warfare against the country. Notably, a striking similarity in opinion was observed between Shiite and Druze respondents, particularly in light of recent events in the Druze-majority Syrian province of As-Suwayda. Approximately 88% of Shiites and over 83% of Druze believe that the Syrian events threaten Lebanon, compared to more than 68% of Christians and about 62% of Sunnis.

Regarding confidence in official Lebanese institutions, the survey results reveal:

• The presidency received medium to high confidence from approximately 67% of respondents.
• The prime minister garnered medium to high confidence from about 55%.
• Parliament received confidence from roughly 50%.
• The judiciary was rated at approximately 40%.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs scored the lowest at around 38%.