Former head of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt, commented on the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation in the Palestinian territories, emphasizing that "the essential and most important thing is that the conflict does not turn, through some statements that have come from Lebanon or elsewhere, into a battle between Islam and Jews. The battle is between the occupied Palestinian people and the Israeli occupation. Here, I advise reading a crucial article by the Zionist Ari Shavit, who states that we have reached a point of impossibility when dealing with a uniquely exceptional people," referring to the acknowledgment of the stalemate of occupation by a Zionist. He also mentioned a statement by the former Greek finance minister that indicates this is an occupied people and an occupying authority, similar to what happened in South Africa and other places around the world.
Commenting on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that "the response to the Al-Aqsa operation will change the shape of the Middle East," Jumblatt said: "The response will not change anything but will increase destruction and tragedies," urging for the opening of border crossings, specifically the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. He also called for a decision from the Arab League to reject the occupation, in addition to what was stated in the Saudi Foreign Ministry's statement that the current situation is a result of occupation, considering this a significant achievement instead of delving into analyses and counter-analyses.
In response to a question, Jumblatt pointed out: "If Israel wants to erase Gaza, we will enter the unknown, and at that point, the entire Arab environment will shake. I do not think it is possible to erase the sector." He affirmed that "the Palestinian people are invincible, and the battle is just beginning," mentioning that "my message to the Druze of occupied Palestine was for history; some hesitant ones need to listen, as they are an integral part of the Palestinian Arab people."
Regarding Western support for the Israeli occupation, Jumblatt stated: "I was told that the Eiffel Tower in France might be lit up with the Israeli flag. I don't know the validity of this information, and I also saw the British Prime Minister's office adorned with the Israeli flag." He questioned why the West is biased towards Israel, emphasizing that there is an occupied Palestinian people and territory that need support for their right to lift the occupation.
Jumblatt added, "I support Prime Minister Najib Mikati's position concerning commitment to Resolution 1701. I believe Hezbollah does not need to open a battle today. In the end, there is a brave people benefiting from Iranian support and others who are fighting and do not need an additional front." He noted that "the countries that normalized relations have set a condition to stop settlement activity, but settlement has not ceased; what have those countries benefited from except for personal military privileges for some Israelis in trade and arms sales?" He called for a unified Arab stance to condemn the lifting of the occupation, as it is fundamental to everything and returns to the Arab League and all nations.
Jumblatt considered that "Israeli extremists' statements resemble colonial proclamations during the French, British, and American periods in Vietnam and elsewhere. This is a form of racial superiority found among some world leaders, which is why we must be cautious about any extremist rhetoric from our side. Additionally, one of the MPs today said it was time to erase Israel, and this is unacceptable." He confirmed that "Palestine will return; perhaps this is not near, but it will return," stating that "Israeli colonialism reminds me of the Crusades, which lasted for 250 years and then vanished. We will not remain for 250 years; circumstances and technology have changed. One day, those who came from the Jews to Palestine will leave, and Arab Jews will remain, as there are Christians, Muslims, and Jews, and we have no connection to the massacres against Jews in the West."
Regarding providing assistance to Palestine, Jumblatt said: "We have immense resources in the Arab world to help the Palestinian people, and we are better off without this favor and mercy from the racist West."
