Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Pierre Raï pointed out that "we can no longer find words to condemn Israel's arrogant war, flaunting its advanced weapons against the people of Gaza with their children, women, and seniors in their safe homes, hospitals, mosques, and churches." He deemed that "the major condemnation should be directed at the silent international community."
In his sermon during the divine liturgy in Bkerke, he stressed that "we reject the extension of the war to Southern Lebanon, and we must protect Lebanese citizens who have not yet recovered from the consequences of the disastrous Lebanese war." He continued, "We demand the removal of any missile platforms planted among homes that warrant a devastating Israeli response. Is this what is desired? Everyone must respect Resolution 1701. We also condemn the attacks against UNIFIL forces in several towns in an attempt to limit their movement, and we thank the countries participating in these forces for maintaining peace in Southern Lebanon."
In another context, Raï asserted, "We strongly condemn the unethical and false incitement campaign directed against Archbishop Moussa Al-Hajj, Archbishop of Haifa and the Holy Land, and we reject and condemn everything said about him falsely on social media. He did not participate in the visit to the Israeli president due to his engagements elsewhere in his diocese."
He called for the end of the presidential vacuum, asserting that "the claim that the issue lies with the Maronites is incorrect; the issue does not reside with the Maronites but with the Parliament and its president."
