Christian Villages in Lebanon Deny Allegations Regarding Israel with Decisive Language

Local administrations and activists from villages near the border where the Christian population in Southern Lebanon resides made a joint statement to inform the public regarding allegations recently appearing in some press organs that would put them in a difficult spot. With the joint declaration, it was emphasized that the news claiming that some leaders of these villages contacted Israeli officials to request the annexation of their villages to Israel and granting Israeli citizenship to their residents was entirely fabricated and had no relation to reality, and a strong denial was issued. Local officials emphasized that such claims are knowingly produced and fictitious news, expressing that such an initiative was out of the question.

In the written statement, it was reiterated that such allegations were completely unfounded, and it was noted that despite the adverse conditions and difficulties brought by the war, the people of the region maintained their allegiance to the Lebanese state and believed in its legitimacy. It was conveyed that the village residents made no concessions regarding the preservation of their country's integrity and sovereignty, maintained their stance in favor of the state, and that their national unity remained unbroken despite harsh conditions. Additionally, it was shared that since the beginning of the war, there has been constant coordination with Lebanese authorities to ensure humanitarian aid reaches and internal communication is not cut off, and efforts were made in cooperation with official authorities to keep civilian passage corridors open.

In the declaration, it was stated that the residents of these Christian villages on the border line attached great importance to their national identities and Lebanese citizenships, seeing only Lebanon as their homeland, and that it was out of the question for them to accept any other identity or citizenship. It was clearly expressed that scenarios attempting to exploit the difficulties experienced by the people of the region to harm the image of the villages or serve different political agendas were rejected, and that no allowance would be given to such manipulations. It was emphasized that a firm stance was displayed against the creation of false perceptions by using the people's concerns for the country's future, especially its own.

Finally, in the declaration signed by local administrations and opinion leaders, it was reiterated once again that such news circulating was entirely fabricated and aimed to discredit the people of the region and create confusion in the public opinion. The allegations in question were defined as a malicious campaign aimed at shadowing the people's loyalty to their homeland and state, Lebanon, and changing the agenda. In the final part of the statement, unwavering commitment to the Lebanese state and principles of national unity was reaffirmed, and a call was made not to give credence to such disinformation.

Among the villages listed as signatories are settlements such as Alma al-Sha'b, Qouzah, Debel, Rmeish, Ayn Ibl, Deir Mimas, Burj al-Muluk, Qila, Sarda, Jdeidet Marjeyoun, Ebel es-Saqi, Kaukaba, al-Buwayda, Rashaya al-Fukhar, and Abu Qamha. This list is understood to show that the region covers a wide geography and that all local actors regarding the issue are acting as a single body. This joint statement aims to clearly declare to both the domestic public and the international community that the region is not in any cooperation with Israel and remains loyal to Lebanese territorial integrity.