Lebanon is on the brink of war: Where do the country’s Christians stand?

ACI MENA, Aug 9, 2024 / 12:25 pm

In a stark departure from the destructive war of 2006, which had political and partly Christian motivations and revealed deep divisions among Christians, Lebanon’s Christian community today stands united as the nation teeters on the brink of war. 

With tensions erupting on the southern border, Christian leaders and citizens are presenting a unified front. Despite their varied political allegiances, Christians are collectively refusing to support a war that could further devastate an already struggling country. They recognize the nation’s exhausted state and fear it may not recover from another prolonged conflict.

The potential war between Hezbollah and Israel is viewed as a direct continuation of its Gaza forerunner. Christian leaders grasp the gravity of the situation, while everyday Lebanese citizens — struggling to put food on the table, ensure access to medicine, and secure a few hours of electricity — cannot endure more hardships.

Christians withhold their ‘blessing’

As the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel intensifies, with recent clashes reaching the southern suburbs of Beirut, the commitment to keep Lebanon out of war becomes increasingly evident. The expanding violence, which could potentially involve Iran, disrupts traditional confrontation patterns and heightens the risk of a broader conflict.

Christian opinion staunchly opposes this escalation, advocating for Lebanese neutrality. 

In response, Christians have called for the full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. Adopted unanimously in 2006, this resolution aims to end hostilities and address the Lebanese-Israeli conflict with the assistance of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Bkerke’s unwavering position

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rai maintains his stance from Bkerke, the episcopal see of the Maronite Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch of the Maronite Church in Lebanon, emphasizing the importance of keeping Lebanon out of war. The patriarch has consistently cautioned against being drawn into a “blind war” through his sermons and public statements.

Recently, he condemned those he described as “thirsty for blood,” stressing that going to war is a serious responsibility. During a Mass honoring St. Charbel on July 20, he reminded thousands of worshippers that Lebanon is a land of holiness, not a place for wars, destruction, and displacement.

Maronite bishops have echoed this position on several occasions. 

At their monthly meeting on Wednesday, they expressed concern about “the repercussions of the conflict in Gaza and southern Lebanon, and the risk of a broader escalation driven by foreign powers with interests unrelated to our homeland.” They reiterated that “the only solution for restoring calm and stability is the implementation of U.N. resolutions, particularly Resolution 1701.”

A unified position for Christian parties?

Beyond the Church, major Christian political parties seem to share a unified stance, albeit broadly defined. While each party has expressed its position in its way — some with stronger rhetoric and others more cautiously — officials from the Lebanese Forces Party (which opposes Hezbollah and holds the largest Christian bloc in Parliament), the Free Patriotic Movement (a political ally of Hezbollah), and the Lebanese Kataeb Party (which also opposes Hezbollah) have all made it clear: They do not want Lebanon dragged into war.

This stance is set against a backdrop of anxiety and precaution as both Lebanese citizens and the international community await Hezbollah and Iran’s potential military response to Israel in the coming days or even hours. The tension is palpable, with tourists and expatriates departing Beirut International Airport following travel advisories from several countries urging their citizens to leave Lebanon and some airlines suspending flights. Additionally, there is a notable wave of displacement from Lebanese border villages and the southern suburbs of Beirut to safer areas within the country.

With Christians firmly opposed to involving Lebanon in a conflict it can ill afford, the question remains: Will the situation be contained to limited exchanges of fire, or will diplomatic efforts fail, plunging the region into a more severe and widespread war?

This article was first published by ACI Mena, CNA's Arabic-language news partner, and has been adapted by CNA.