Israel-Lebanon War: Why Lebanon remains entangled in conflict, fighting endless war for Palestine | Series 1

Israel-Lebanon War: In 1969, Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Saeb Salam made a statement that would echo through decades: “Supporting Palestine is Lebanon’s fate. We cannot escape our destiny.” He was responding to a journalist’s question about whether backing Palestine would compromise Lebanon’s security. More than 55 years later, the conflict between Lebanon and Israel continues, with the focal point remaining the same: Palestine.

Despite the complexities of its internal politics and regional alliances, Lebanon has always found itself entangled in the Palestine-Israel conflict. Today, with more than 700 casualties and the ongoing turmoil, Lebanon stands isolated in the Arab world, facing Israel once again while other Arab powers such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Syria have stepped back.

But why does Lebanon continue to fight this uphill battle, even at the cost of its own security? How did this small, diverse country come to play such a critical role in the region’s most enduring conflict?

To understand this, one must delve into the history of Lebanon and the factors that shaped its modern identity.

Lebanon’s historical significance

Lebanon, despite its small size, has been a historical battleground for many civilisations, including the Romans, Greeks, Ottomans, and the French. Measuring only 217 km in length and 56 km in width, with a population of around 5.5 million, Lebanon’s strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean has made it a highly contested region throughout history.

Following the First World War and the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, Western powers began to redraw the borders of the Middle East. In 1916, France took control of what is now Syria and Lebanon, and in 1920, Lebanon was carved out as a separate entity from Syria. This legacy explains the lasting French cultural influence in Lebanon, where alongside Arabic, both French and English are commonly spoken.

Geographically, Lebanon shares borders with Syria to the north and east, Israel to the south, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Lebanon has been a buffer state in various conflicts, particularly after the establishment of Israel in 1948.

Demographic Shifts

The last official census in Lebanon was conducted in 1932, revealing a majority Christian population at 51%, followed by Sunni Muslims at 22% and Shia Muslims at 19.6%. However, over the past 92 years, these numbers have drastically changed. Today, Christians account for only 32% of the population, while the Sunni and Shia populations have both increased to approximately 32% and 31%, respectively.

Upon gaining independence from France in 1943, a power-sharing agreement was established in Lebanon to maintain balance among its religious groups. A Christian would hold the presidency, a Sunni Muslim would serve as prime minister, and a Shia Muslim would become the speaker of the parliament. This arrangement held Lebanon together for a time but has since been tested by both internal strife and external pressures, particularly the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Lebanon and Palestine

Lebanon’s support for Palestine has deep roots. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Lebanon became a refuge for thousands of Palestinian families. In the 1967 Six-Day War, Lebanon again took up arms with Arab nations to support the Palestinian cause. Lebanon’s involvement in these wars, coupled with the influx of Palestinian refugees, fundamentally shaped its political landscape, which continues to feel the repercussions today.

In fact, Lebanon’s precarious position in the Israel-Palestine conflict has often brought the country into direct confrontation with Israel. The presence of Palestinian militant groups in Lebanon, particularly during the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990), and later the influence of Hezbollah, turned Lebanon into a frontline state against Israeli military actions.

Transformation of Lebanon: From Prosperity to Conflict

During the 1960s, Lebanon experienced what was considered its “Golden Age.” The country’s open economy and banking secrecy laws attracted significant foreign investment, particularly from neighbouring Arab countries experiencing political instability. In just seven years, Lebanon’s per capita income increased by 50%, and the GDP doubled by 1962. Beirut, the capital city, was often called the “Paris of the Middle East” and became a bustling hub for tourism and finance.

The introduction of the Banking Secrecy Law in 1956 made Lebanon a haven for wealthy individuals looking to secure their assets. Foreign nationals deposited their money in Lebanese banks, spurring economic growth and development. In the absence of heavy government regulations, Lebanon embraced free-market policies, which encouraged entrepreneurial ventures and foreign investments. As a result, Lebanon earned its reputation as the “Switzerland of the Middle East.”

However, this period of prosperity was short-lived. The region’s political instability began to take its toll, and Lebanon’s delicate balance between its various religious and political groups started to crumble, exacerbated by its involvement in the Arab-Israeli wars.

The Rise of Hezbollah 

One of the most significant transformations in Lebanon’s political landscape has been the rise of Hezbollah, a powerful Shia militant group and political party backed by Iran. Hezbollah emerged during the Lebanese Civil War and gained prominence as a resistance force against Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon. Today, Hezbollah controls large parts of Lebanon, including the very region where, according to the Bible, Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water into wine.

Hezbollah’s presence has turned Lebanon into a focal point of the wider Israel-Iran conflict. The group has been involved in numerous confrontations with Israel, including the 2006 Lebanon War, which devastated much of Lebanon’s infrastructure and led to significant civilian casualties.

The political and military influence of Hezbollah complicates Lebanon’s role in the region. On one hand, Lebanon continues to support the Palestinian cause, but on the other, its internal security is often compromised due to Hezbollah’s activities and its clashes with Israel.

Lebanon’s destiny, as former Prime Minister Saeb Salam remarked, seems inextricably linked to Palestine. While the political landscape in the Middle East has shifted, with many Arab countries normalising relations with Israel, Lebanon remains steadfast in its support for the Palestinian cause, often at great cost to its own stability and security.

To be continued….