Lebanon's future runs through talks with Israel - Daniel Siryoti

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by Daniel Siryoti

Given the growing number of Arab countries reportedly seeking rapprochement with Israel, even Hezbollah cannot deny the fact that the Middle East is changing.

Ironically, it was the devastating Aug. 4 explosion that decimated the Port of Beirut, pushing Lebanon into an unprecedented economic crisis, which prompted the country's government to understand that the only way they could save Lebanon from complete economic ruin was to tap into the country's offshore natural gas reserves.

Some areas where gas has been discovered are under dispute with Israel, which has prevented large energy conglomerates from pursing their developments in Lebanon's economic waters, thus creating a much-needed revenue stream for Beirut.

It stands to reason that had the explosion in Beirut not happened, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah would have dug in his heels, asserting that "under no circumstances would his organization allow any type of negotiation with the Zionist entity, as Hezbollah opposes any move that may imply the normalization of ties with the entity called 'Israel.'"

But even Nasrallah and, by extension, the Iranian-backed Shiite terrorist group that effectively controls Lebanon, knows that preventing talks to resolve the dispute about the maritime borders between Israel and Lebanon means deeming Beirut's coffers to remain empty, possibly for decades.

Moreover, Hezbollah, which often professes to be a patriotic group, is not oblivious to the growing criticism against it among the people whose interests it claims to protect.

Lebanon's liberal circles have long demanded that Hezbollah disarm and allow the Lebanese army do its job, and the fact that the US and many EU members no longer differentiate between its political and military wings, rather have designated Hezbollah as a terrorist group, adds to the pressure Nasrallah in under.

This is why he has remained silent when the Lebanese government declared it would pursue the resolution of the disputed maritime borders via indirect talks with Israel.

Political insiders in Lebanon, including Hezbollah members, say that the group refrains from weighing in on the issue because it is a civil negotiation held under the auspices of the UN and third-party political elements, and because this is not an agreement that could, heaven forbid, lead to a kind of normalization between countries.

Still, given the normalization between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain, with new Arab countries reportedly seeking rapprochement with the Jewish state, and with the Saudis now allowing Israeli flights to travel through its airspace, even Hezbollah cannot deny the fact that the Middle East is changing.

In a Middle East where Israel, Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority set aside disputes in favor of pursuing economic and energy cooperation with Greece and Cyprus, it is clear to Lebanon's leaders that if they keep dancing to the tune of a corrupt terrorist militia they will be left behind as the region moves forward.


Daniel Siryoti

Source: https://www.israelhayom.com/opinions/lebanons-future-runs-through-talks-with-israel/

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