Federal Lebanon Condemns Hezbollah Supporters’ Campaign Against Syriac Maronite Patriarch and Symbols

Federal Lebanon condemned the recent campaign by Hezbollah supporters against Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rai and symbols of the Syriac Maronite Church, including Saint Mar Charbel. The statement came following a weekly meeting where the group addressed what it called a “sectarian frenzy” sparked by supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement after a humorous video aired by LBCI depicting a “Khamenei revenge war” between the Shia militia and Israel.

Federal Lebanon emphasized that although Patriarch al-Rai had no connection to the video, Hezbollah and Amal supporters launched a campaign of sectarian hate against the Maronites and their Patriarch. The group drew a parallel to past anti-Semitic hysteria following the terrorist attack in Bondi, Australia, suggesting a troubling pattern of incitement.

The statement criticized the hypocrisy of the Shia bloc, arguing that while its elites often conceal their true intentions behind rhetoric about peaceful coexistence, their actions reveal a different reality. Federal Lebanon accused these leaders of misleading the public with polished language that does not reflect their actual policies or allegiances.

Additionally, the group took issue with certain sovereigntist parties and figures who claim Hezbollah does not represent all Shias. Federal Lebanon argued that this insistence amounts to “self-deception and deception of the public,” as hundreds of thousands of Lebanon’s Shia population continue to identify with the militia. The statement warned that relying on a broad Shia uprising against Hezbollah is a mirage, driven by those who refuse to address the deeper issues within the political system.

Regarding the delay in the Lebanese government’s pursuit of direct negotiations with Israel, Federal Lebanon stressed that peace, even if it requires difficult gestures, remains preferable to war. The group called for the Lebanese state to assert itself as a serious authority capable of receiving support from countries backing Lebanese legitimacy.

The situation highlights the complex interplay of sectarian tensions, political maneuvering, and the struggle for legitimacy within Lebanon. As the country continues to grapple with its legacy of conflict, the role of religious and political leaders in fostering unity and stability remains a pressing concern. Micah 6:8 reminds us that what God requires is to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God—a call that resonates deeply in the current context.

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