English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For December 25/2024
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news

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Bible Quotations For today
Christmas Day/Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 02/01-20/:"In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on December 24-25/2024
Text & Video: Christmas and the Holy Obligation to Honor Parents/Elias Bejjani/December 25, 2023
Barbaric Arson Attack on Ragheb Alama's School in Beirut Condemned/Elias Bejjani/December 24/2024
Text & Video: No Allies for Occupying Forces in Lebanon: Only Mercenaries, Iscariots, Trojan Horses, and Opportunists/Elias Bejjani/December 22/ 2024
Les dilemmes/The dilemmas/Charles Elias Chartouni//December 24/2024
Christmas in South Lebanon: A Breath of Life, a Hint of Melancholy /Katia Kahil/This Is Beirut/December 24/2024
The Wall of Time/Fady Noun/This Is Beirut/December 24/2024
War-weary villages in Lebanon’s south find hope in Christmas festivities/Sherouk Zakaria/Arab News/December 24, 2024
UN relief chief vows to support Lebanon 'enter new phase'
Lebanon PM, UN peacekeepers call for accelerated Israeli withdrawal
PM Mikati chairs meeting of technical committee for monitoring ceasefire at Grand Serail
Qatar's ambassador to Lebanon discusses economic ties, stresses importance of electing a president on January 9
Erdogan meets Walid Joumblatt in Ankara
New UN Complaint Regarding Israeli Ceasefire Violations
Civil Defense recovers three bodies from rubble in Khiam
Recording of pop star Alameh mocking Nasrallah stirs outrage in Lebanon
Al-Rahi calls for Lebanon's return to 'positive neutrality'
Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian Calls for a Responsible President
Mawlawi: The Need to Impose State Legitimacy in Lebanon
MEA chairman Mohammad El Hout: Flights fully booked for the holiday season
Fate of Lebanese fighters in Syria uncertain: A legal and political process
ISF Warns of Fraudulent Schemes on WhatsApp
The Maronite Curse/Johnny Kortbawi/This is Beirut/December 24/2024
January 9 Session at Risk as Election Delay Looms/Philippe Abi-Akl/This is Beirut/December 24/2024

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on December 24-25/2024
Bethlehem's silent Christmas: A cry for peace in the Holy Land
Gaza Christians pray for end of ‘death and destruction’
How Syria’s Christians are marking Christmas amid political change and uncertainty
‘Many have had their eyes opened for the first time’ to Palestine’s occupation, Bethlehem’s Rev. Munther Isaac tells Arab News
Syria authorities say armed groups have agreed to disband
Netanyahu says there is 'some progress' in ceasefire and hostage deal efforts
US NGO believes missing journalist Austin Tice 'alive' in Syria
Israel acknowledges it killed ex-Hamas leader Haniyeh in Tehran
Israeli military says a commander injured during operation in West Bank
Israeli army forces patients out of a north Gaza hospital
Israel probe finds troops’ presence led to killing of six Gaza hostages
Slovenia calls for Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision 2025
Former Israeli hostage dies one year after release from Gaza
Turkey aiming for maritime agreement with Syria: Transport minister
Iran lifts ban on WhatsApp and Google Play, state media says

Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on December 24-25/2024
Is Trump Looking for a Grand Bargain With China?/Gordon G. Chang/Gatestone Institute./December 24, 2024
But Why Saladin? The West’s Low Standard Bar for Islam/Raymond Ibrahim/The Stream/December 24/2024
Palestinian Christians facing an existential threat/Chris Doyle/Arab News/December 24, 2024
The end is near for armed militias in Iraq/Dalia Al-Aqidi/Arab News/December 24, 2024
The evolution of global power dynamics/Christopher Phillips/Arab News/December 24, 2024

The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on December 24-25/2024
Elias Bejjani/Text & Video: Christmas and the Holy Obligation to Honor Parents
Elias Bejjani/December 25, 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngwpiN7eGwU&t=47s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siywseB77PM&t=323s
As we celebrate Christmas, the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is a sacred symbol of humility, love, and sacrifice, we are called to reflect on the profound importance of honoring our parents. This sacred duty is intrinsically tied to honoring God, our Heavenly Father, who is the source of all life and love. True gratitude to parents must be expressed not merely through words, but through genuine and concrete deeds, embodying respect, acknowledgment of their sacrifices, and a heartfelt sense of pride and conviction.
Failing to fulfill the duty and holy obligation of gratitude to parents, especially during the holy season of Christmas and new year, amounts to blatant ingratitude, rebellion against divine order, and a fundamental erosion of moral values and self-respect. Such behavior dishonors the sanctity of the Lord Himself, who is a loving and forgiving Father.
Ingratitude towards parents is not just a social failing practice, but a profound spiritual sin. It is a deviance from faith and morality that leads to spiritual and relational decay. Tragically, this moral impairment has become alarmingly prevalent in our time, posing a direct challenge to the principles of faith, love, and sacrifice that underpin our religious traditions.
Biblical Foundation for Honoring Parents
The Holy Bible, the eternal moral compass for millions, consistently emphasizes the sanctity of the parent-child relationship. Honoring parents is enshrined as a divine commandment. In the Ten Commandments, the fifth commandment explicitly declares: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). This commandment is not merely a suggestion but a divine decree, elevating the respect for parents to the same level as reverence for God Himself.
Christian teachings highlight the immense sacrifices parents make for their children. By honoring these sacrifices, we align ourselves with the virtues of humility, love, and obedience to God. The Bible glorifies parental love and veneration, urging believers to embody these virtues in their daily lives.
Concerning Trends in Modern Times
It is deeply disheartening to witness a growing number of children who exhibit ingratitude towards their parents, particularly during times of need, illness, or old age. Such behavior starkly contrasts with the Biblical call for gratitude and reveals a troubling erosion of familial and moral values. While parents dedicate their lives to the well-being of their children, some children respond with indifference or even contempt. This ingratitude tears at the fabric of sacred family relationships and violates the divine principle of honoring parents.
Biblical Verses Highlighting Gratitude and Respect for Parents
The Scriptures are replete with verses that emphasize the duty to respect and honor parents:
Proverbs 23:22 : “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old". This verse underscores the sanctity of parental life-giving roles and warns against neglecting them in their old age.
2 Timothy 3:2 : “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy". Here the verse starkly warns against the growing prevalence of selfishness and ingratitude in society.
Luke 11:11-12 : “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?” The Bible in this verse highlights the natural duty of parents to provide for their children and the unnatural betrayal of ingratitude.
Restoring Family Values
As family values erode under the pressures of modern society, a return to the foundational principles of faith and morality becomes imperative. The commandment to honor parents is not just a moral guideline, but a divine directive that fosters cohesive, compassionate, and spiritually grounded families. Gratitude towards parents reflects gratitude towards God and strengthens the bonds of love and respect within society.
While the phenomenon of ingratitude may appear widespread, it is not insurmountable. By recommitting ourselves to the virtues of faith, love, and sacrifice, we can reignite the spirit of gratitude and restore the sanctity of the parent-child relationship. The Bible’s teachings call us to recognize and appreciate the immeasurable sacrifices of our parents, equating the honor of earthly parents to the honor of our Heavenly Father.
A Call to Action
This Christmas, let us reaffirm our commitment to honoring our parents as an act of faith and obedience to God.
Let us demonstrate gratitude through tangible acts of love, support, and respect, ensuring that our parents feel cherished and valued. By doing so, we not only fulfill the fifth commandment, but also strengthen our relationship with God, who commands us to honor Him by honoring our parents. In doing so, we embody the true spirit of Christmas: humility, love, and sacrifice.

Barbaric Arson Attack on Ragheb Alama's School in Beirut Condemned
Elias Bejjani/December 24/2024
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2024/12/138303/
The heinous arson attack on the Saint George School, owned by renowned Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama, by thugs affiliated with Hezbollah, marks a new low in the ongoing campaign of violence and intimidation led by this jihadist Iranian-backed terrorist militia and its supporters. This criminal act reportedly stemmed from a leaked personal comment attributed to Mr. Alama, in which he expressed relief over the hypothetical demise of Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
The deliberate targeting of a school—a symbol of education, hope, and progress—is an egregious act that transcends all boundaries of decency. It is a barbaric crime that endangers the lives of students and staff, undermines the core values of free speech, and tears at the fabric of coexistence in Lebanon. Resorting to violence to suppress dissenting voices is a hallmark of tyranny, oppression, and moral bankruptcy—traits Hezbollah continues to exhibit unabated.
Reports that Hezbollah-affiliated thugs also assaulted the school’s caretaker further underscore the criminality and lawlessness that have become synonymous with Hezbollah's modus operandi. This incident is not merely an attack on Ragheb Alama but a chilling message to all Lebanese citizens: dissent will be punished with violence and destruction.
While some have misguidedly called for legal action against Ragheb Alama over his private remarks, the real crime lies in the cowardly act of arson and assault against a place of learning. The Lebanese judiciary must act decisively to hold the perpetrators accountable, ensuring the safety and sanctity of all educational institutions. Failure to do so will embolden further acts of lawlessness.
It is both ironic and tragic that Hezbollah, which claims to "defend" Lebanon, permits and encourages its supporters to behave as vandals, leaving destruction in their wake. They flee battles in the south and retreat from Syria in disgrace, yet turn their venom on the Lebanese people, destroying the very institutions they claim to protect.
This incident starkly exposes the hypocrisy of a group that postures as a resistance movement while terrorizing its own people. The free and patriotic Lebanese—both at home and in the diaspora—stand united in solidarity with Ragheb Alama. We call on the Lebanese government and international organizations to intervene to protect freedom of expression, ensure justice is served, and safeguard Lebanon’s educational institutions from such barbarism.

Text & Video: No Allies for Occupying Forces in Lebanon: Only Mercenaries, Iscariots, Trojan Horses, and Opportunists
Elias Bejjani – December 22, 2024
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2024/12/138233/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSs80S8LAH8&t=606s
Modern Lebanese history is rife with examples embodying treachery, Trojan horse tactics, submissiveness, political opportunism, sectarian exploitation, and trading official positions at the expense of the nation’s interest, identity, sovereignty, independence, and the dignity and rights of its people. These chameleon-like figures, stripped of any sense of self-respect, values, honor, fear of God, or the Day of Judgment, have consistently exploited crises, occupations, and foreign interventions due to their ingratitude and moral bankruptcy. They have always been a poisoned and cancerous dagger in the hands of Palestinian, Syrian, and Iranian occupiers. They were never genuine allies to these forces or convinced by their projects, schemes, and policies. Rather, they were traitors, self-serving narcissists motivated by personal gains and temporary rewards.
Since the entry of Palestinian, Arabist, and leftist terrorist organizations into Lebanon, committing atrocities against the Lebanese and seeking to establish an alternative Palestinian homeland, whose memory still lingers among the Lebanese, to the occupation of Lebanon by the brutal and criminal Assad regime, and finally to Hezbollah's Iranian occupation, these forces never found genuine allies among the Lebanese. Instead, they relied on local tools: mercenaries and hypocrites adept at changing their stances, loyalties, and colors to suit political winds, driven solely by notions of personal profit and loss.
In this context, following the resounding defeat Hezbollah suffered at the hands of Israel and the death of most of its terrorist leaders, who have no connection to Lebanon, coupled with the collapse of Assad's criminal regime, the erosion of its influence in the region, and the exposure of its atrocities, prisons, and human slaughterhouses, these tools—politicians, clergymen, and political activists in Lebanon—began changing their stances blatantly. As we say colloquially, they “turned 180 degrees” and swapped their hats without shame or hesitation.
Examples of Hypocritical Chameleons
Walid Jumblatt is the undisputed master of chameleons in changing stances, alliances, and turnarounds. His record is unparalleled, making him the king of moments of abandonment and epiphany, sitting by riverbanks waiting for the corpses of his enemies to float by.
Meanwhile, Ex-Minister Wiam Wahhab is a living example of this hypocrisy. Wahhab, who was a loud, street-level mouthpiece and media thug for the Assad regime and Hezbollah, as well as the leading cheerleader for the defunct “resistance axis” in its hostility toward Israel, recently began adopting entirely contradictory positions. He called on Lebanese Shiites to recognize the state of Israel. Those familiar with this opportunist and deceptive demagogue were not surprised by his U-turn but had long anticipated it.
The Sunni minister Faisal Karami, filled with hatred, resentment, and stupidity, presents yet another example of political opportunism and duplicity. Until recently, he was praising the Assad regime and Hezbollah, but he has recently turned against the Syrian Assad regime, claiming that it had fought against his father, Omar Karami, and his uncle, Rashid Karami, for years. We remind this hypocrite and those of his ilk with their duplicitous culture that Hezbollah, in one of the cabinet formations, ceded a ministerial position allocated to the Shiite sect and gave it to Faisal Karami to infiltrate the Sunni community through its leaders. MP, Faisal, whose actions continue to be driven by hatred and ignorance, still accuses Dr. Samir Geagea of assassinating his uncle, Prime Minister Rashid Karami, despite his full knowledge and the clear evidence that the Assad regime is the true culprit behind that crime.
Sheikh Hassan Mrad is another example of this opportunistic culture. After praising and glorifying Hezbollah and its false resistance, he has now turned against his stances, justifying his reversal with flimsy and childish excuses. This is the same sheikh accused of forging his academic certificates, with his credibility amounting to zero.
Then there is Mr. Elie Ferzli, a man of the corrupt Assad regime, who is now, renouncing his pro-Assad past and claiming yesterday that his allegiance and support were for the Syrian state, not the regime.
However, the most despicable and vile of all opportunists and traitors who aligned themselves with Hezbollah and the Assad regime are Michel Aoun, his corrupt son-in-law Gebran Bassil, and their cohort of fraudsters, merchants, and opportunists. Aoun, Bassil, and their group have betrayed every stance, slogan, promise, and commitment since signing the 2006 Mar Mikhael Agreement. Bassil and his uncle, former President Michel Aoun, epitomize political opportunism, exploiting Hezbollah, the Assad regime, and the Iranian mullahs' system to achieve personal and political gains. Through this disgraceful alliance, they secured parliamentary and ministerial seats and influential positions in the Lebanese state. In return, they sold out sovereignty and independence, sacrificing Lebanon’s national interests on the altar of their personal ambitions. Today, after Hezbollah’s defeat and the Assad regime's collapse, they shamelessly and brazenly change their loyalties, denying their masters – Hezbollah, Iran, and the Assad regime.
The political hypocrisy of the Aoun-Bassil approach did not stop there. After Hezbollah's humiliating defeat against Israel and the loss of most of its terrorist leaders, Bassil has begun publicly distancing himself from his former ally, attempting to restore his tarnished image among the Lebanese people. Suddenly, he is once again raising the slogans of sovereignty and independence in a desperate attempt to regain the popular support he lost due to his submission to Hezbollah and his association with Iran’s expansionist project.
This blatant political flip-flopping, characteristic of Bassil and Aoun's chameleon-like nature, is a scandalous example of opportunism and hypocrisy. It demonstrates their readiness to change positions, colors, and even their skins to serve their interests, even at the expense of destroying the nation, undermining its principles, and enslaving and humiliating its citizens.
In conclusion,There are no allies for occupying forces in Lebanon, but only mercenaries, Iscariots, Trojan Horses, and Opportunists

Les dilemmes/The dilemmas
Charles Elias Chartouni//December 24/2024
Les dilemmes
Nous sommes au carrefour ballotés entre des choix qui laissent peu de chances à des solutions intérimaires, alors que le nouveau contexte suppose des choix bien arrêtés qui nous aident à s’extraire des impasses qui se sont installées dans la durée. Le Liban n’est plus en mesure de s'accommoder des verrouillages imposés par les fascismes chiites et de les reconduire après la défaite du Hezbollah. Les deux ailes du fascisme chiite s’emploient à regagner par la po… See more
The dilemmas
We’re at a crossroads between choices that leave little chance for temporary solutions, while the new context entails well-changed choices that help us pull out the deadlocks that have set up over the time. Lebanon is no longer able to accommodate the lockdown imposed by Shiite fascism and bring them back after the defeat of Hezbollah. The two wings of Shiite fascism seek to regain through politics what they lost in the war, and to continue their political approach at the expense of the other Lebanese components by disregarding their rights and interests.

Christmas in South Lebanon: A Breath of Life, a Hint of Melancholy
Katia Kahil/This Is Beirut/December 24/2024
We’ve all lost something, but we’ve also learned to help one another. It’s important to keep the Christmas spirit alive, even if it’s challenging under the current circumstances. We need to show that we’re rooted here, that we haven’t given up hope,” says Paul, a shop owner in Marjeyoun, as he carefully arranges his displays, just as he always does. It’s almost as if, only weeks ago, he hadn’t been gripped by the fear that the war would drag on, denying him the chance to return to a normal life. After a year and three months of war and devastation, Christmas in the Marjeyoun district carries a different tone—one steeped in melancholy. The mood is somber, despite earnest efforts to create a festive atmosphere. Christmas trees, which annually light up the squares of Christian villages, have been put up once again, along with nativity scenes. In Klayaa and Rmeish, people are trying to move past the months of fear. The squares of both villages, now hosting Christmas recitals, sparkle with a thousand lights. The destruction and the loss of loved ones have left deep scars. The region is still healing, struggling to regain a semblance of normalcy against all odds. This year, Christmas has taken on new meaning—a symbol of hope, resilience, and renewal. Despite everything, optimism prevails. The Nativity is celebrated amidst ruined buildings, wrecked roads, and ravaged villages —a stark reminder of the horrors endured during the war. The streets of Marjeyoun, usually lively ahead of the holidays, are more subdued this year. Decorations are simple yet meaningful, as if the town is struggling to embrace the festive spirit. Christmas trees stand proudly, and the churches echo with carols—but only until 5 PM, as a curfew imposed by the Israeli army remains in effect from 5 PM to 7 AM.
Storefronts, adorned with a few garlands and modest Christmas trees, reflect resilience in the face of adversity. The main Christmas tree, though decorated, remains understated and seems almost overwhelmed by the scale of the challenges the region continues to face. Local associations are still rallying dozens of volunteers to wrap gifts that will bring a sparkle to the eyes of children who have endured the traumas of war.
A Welcome Respite
This return to local traditions provides a much-needed break for the people of the South, allowing them to refocus on the values of peace, love, and community. "Even though we live in a difficult region, given its proximity to the Israeli border, we want to show that the South is not defined by war. Here, many religions coexist, and this tree symbolizes our ability to come together and celebrate the key moments of this sacred holiday," says Sari Gholmieh, vice president of the Marjeyoun municipality. Christmas markets and festive activities are absent this year. The souks, once bustling with life and color, now stand nearly empty. The store window decorations barely cover up the lack of customers. Sales are down, and shopkeepers, grappling with economic hardship, openly express their frustration at a season that was meant to be filled with joy and prosperity. "We hope people will come to celebrate the holidays with us and support our small businesses," says Shadi, a shop owner. Shops are open and well-stocked, but almost everything is on sale after a long period of closure. Restaurants are seldom busy. Christmas reflects a Lebanon drained and still mired in its crises. "All signs of joy seem fake this year. But it's still a way to prove that we exist and show that despite all the crises, we are still alive. Perhaps the prayers on Christmas Eve will be, for us, the best way to express our need for the Savior to guide humanity," says Ramzi, a restaurant owner. The residents of the border region are accustomed to “difficult times,” says Father Antonios Farah at St. George’s Church in Klayaa, where a life-sized Nativity scene stands proudly. “We decided to resist and remain here. We must fully embrace the joy of Christmas. It is our way of praying for peace,” he adds. Despite the persistent fear and anxiety felt by the people of Rmeish and surrounding villages, they are doing their best to embrace the holiday spirit. The streets of Rmeish, usually bustling with activity at this time of year, now stand nearly deserted by nightfall. Victoria, a village resident, is determined to uphold her traditions: “Attending midnight mass, spending Christmas Eve with family, welcoming Santa... we must live the joy of Christmas,” she says.

The Wall of Time
Fady Noun/This Is Beirut/December 24/2024
It is from the night that the Savior came, and it is in the night that He was born. He came from the night of time, as He is the eternal “Son of the Father,” according to the doctrine of the Catholic Church, and He was born in the night, as witnessed by the shepherds and as the Scriptures say: “While gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was half gone, your all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne” (Wisdom 18:14–15). The Christmas liturgy applies this verse to the incarnation of the Word, as explained in a note from the Jerusalem Bible. A traditional Christmas hymn echoes this: “O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining; it is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.” He came “to his own,” as the Gospel of John tells us. He chose to be personally found by the human race, and toward this purpose, He prepared a people to receive Him by sending prophets ahead of Him. “The prophets of Israel belong to the family of the ‘bearers of the Word’ (…). They differ from other divinely inspired figures (…) in the content of their message. Their message is shaped by the fact that the Hebrew prophets speak in the name of a specific God, Yahweh, to a specific people, Israel. The uniqueness of Israelite prophecy lies in the distinct nature of the relationship between Yahweh and Israel as lived through history” (Encyclopaedia Universalis). However, from the dawn of humanity, as recounted in the Book of Genesis, the Savior was already “grieved in His heart” by the “wickedness” of humankind and even resolved to erase them from the face of the earth. “Yahweh saw that human wickedness was great on the earth, and that their hearts devised only evil continually. Yahweh regretted having made humans on the earth, and it grieved Him to His heart” (Genesis 6:5–6). Whether one believes in the reality of the flood or not, the text attests to the profound aversion that humanity’s moral depravity inspired in the Creator and to His active presence in history. Who would not lament such a state of affairs? And who, placing themselves in God’s position, would not imagine Him saying the same words when witnessing the cruelty unfolding across the globe, not to mention the militarization of space? The arms race is the antithesis of the Creator’s plans for humanity, which are hinted at in the chapter describing the Garden of Eden. “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image (…)’ God saw everything that He had made, and indeed, it was very good” (Genesis 1:26–31). Elsewhere, “Yahweh God planted a garden in Eden, and there He put the man He had formed,” and then, with great wisdom, concluded, “It is not good that the man should be alone,” so He “fashioned a woman” for him, leaving him in awe (Genesis 2:8, 18–22).

War-weary villages in Lebanon’s south find hope in Christmas festivities
Sherouk Zakaria/Arab News/December 24, 2024
DUBAI: After being caught in the crosshairs of the 13-month Hezbollah-Israel conflict, predominantly Christian border villages in southern Lebanon are cautiously optimistic as they celebrate the Christmas season and displaced families return home. Earlier this month, municipalities adorned the streets of these villages with Christmas lights and decorations, expecting the festive atmosphere and a gradual return to normalcy to encourage more displaced residents to come back. The economic toll of the war, which began as a spillover from the Hamas-Israel conflict in Gaza, has forced villages to scale back holiday preparations. However, mayors have vowed to preserve the Christmas spirit and pledged support for families recovering from the war’s devastating economic and social tolls. On Oct. 7, 2023, militants from the Palestinian group Hamas carried out a surprise attack in southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 240 others. In retaliation, Israel launched a large-scale bombing campaign that has so far killed at least 45,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health authority. Cross-border clashes started between the Lebanese group Hezbollah and the Israeli military on Oct. 8, 2023. Within less than a year, Israel launched a barrage of airstrikes across Lebanon. Over more than 13 months, the airstrikes have displaced more than 1.3 million people, according to UN figures, killed at least 4,000 Lebanese, and destroyed entire villages in southern Lebanon. Workers clear the rubble at the site of an overnight Israeli airstrike that targeted the Shiyah neighborhood in Beirut’s southern suburbs on November 26, 2024. (AFP). Ain Ebel, a Christian-majority village in southern Lebanon, is among the hardest-hit areas. Its residents were ordered by the Israeli military to evacuate ahead of the ground invasion on Oct. 1. However, the ceasefire agreement signed on Nov. 27 has offered a glimmer of hope. Imad Lallous, the village’s mayor, said Ain Ebel is holding Christmas festivities — albeit on a smaller scale than in previous years — to celebrate the community’s resilience and hopes for a brighter future. “We were worried that we would not be able to celebrate this year,” he told Arab News. “However, after the ceasefire and the return of Ain Ebel’s residents, it was impossible to let this holiday pass without celebrations, decorations, a Christmas tree, and Jesus Christ’s nativity scene.”
“We are working on restoring the joyful spirit in Ain Ebel,” he added.
The village, once alive with street celebrations, bustling church squares, and vibrant Christmas markets showcasing local products, has been overshadowed by the economic hardships of war in a country already grappling with a severe financial crisis since 2019. Lallous called for community solidarity through donations to restore the spirit of Christmas and support families returning to their war-wrecked homes.
“There is serious damage to the houses, and we will see what we can do to help the owners repair or rebuild them,” he said. “I hope we can celebrate Christmas and other holidays peacefully. I hope we don’t relive wars, destruction and bombardment anymore. I hope no one loses their home and everything they own. I hope this year’s war will be the last in the region.”Located just a few miles from Lebanon’s border with Israel, Ain Ebel is currently home to 240 families. Lallous hopes the number will rise to 330 after the festive season. “This will boost the economic activity of shops and businesses,” he said.
He also believes the reopening of schools, a symbol of life returning to normal, could encourage those who relocated to Beirut to return to Ain Ebel. “Classes resumed this week for attending students, but most of those receiving an education in Beirut will return to Ain Ebel’s school — College des Sœurs des Saint Coeurs — to continue their studies here.” Christian-majority villages near the Israeli border have been badly affected by the hostilities, including Debel, Ain Ebel, Rmeich, and Al-Quzah in Bint Jbeil; Alma Shaab in Tyre District; and Deir Mimas and Qlayaa in Marjeyoun. Several of these, namely Ain Ebel, Deir Mimas, Qlayaa, and Alma Shaab, were among the 27 areas ordered to evacuate. And while some residents, including priests, refused to leave their homes, most fled north or to Beirut.
Since the ceasefire was announced on Nov. 27, more than 900,000 people have begun returning to their areas of origin, but nearly 179,000 remain displaced, according to UN figures. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri urged people to return to their homes in the south, even if it means having to “live on the rubble,” he said in a televised speech.
The 13-month war has partially or fully destroyed around 100,000 homes across Lebanon. The World Bank estimates the damage at approximately $8.5 billion, further deepening the country’s financial crisis. Despite both Hezbollah and Israel accusing each other of violations, the ceasefire also represents a hopeful step toward a permanent cessation of hostilities and the enforcement of UN Resolution 1701, which called for a demilitarized zone, free of armed personnel except for the Lebanese army. The US-brokered ceasefire agreement requires Israel to gradually withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon, to be replaced by Lebanese troops over 60 days. Hezbollah must also pull its forces north of the Litani River and dismantle its military infrastructure in the south. Mayor Lallous said Christmas offers an opportunity to emphasize the solidarity and unity of the Lebanese people, countering fears of sectarian divisions sparked by mass displacement and the targeting of Christian villages. “We have always lived peacefully together in our region and have not seen any divisions,” he said. “I hope the war we have experienced has not left any consequences here. We deal with our neighbors in a civilized way, and we wish we could always remain like this.”He added: “We must be convinced that we need to seek our community’s well-being rather than society’s suffering. “I hope the experience we have gone through will be a lesson for everyone so that we can move toward peace and family and keep our young people here instead of seeing them leave. I hope we won’t have to rebuild our homes in 10-15 years.”Among the Christian areas that displayed deep solidarity during the war was Rmeich. The village, neighboring Ain Ebel, sheltered hundreds of displaced Lebanese — both Shiite Muslims and Christians — from other villages in the region at a local monastery.
Others, including those who fled from Ain Ebel, found refuge in fellow villagers’ homes. Miled Alam, mayor of Rmeich, said: “Lebanon cannot rise without the participation of all its sects, communities and religions. “Since its establishment, Lebanon has been made up of several sects, and nobody can eliminate the other,” he told Arab News. “All its components can, together, build a new Lebanon that relies on hope, its culture, state, institutions, and judiciary.” Emphasizing the importance of celebrating Christmas this year, Alam expressed hope that all of Rmeich’s more than 8,000 residents would attend the festivities, along with those from the nearby villages of Ain Ebel and Debel. “The occurrence of war does not mean we will not carry out customs, traditions, and religious rituals,” he said. “Last year, we celebrated amidst the war and bombardment.” “We also organized an event for the children in the church square, rang the bells, prayed and held masses.” Rmeich, while maintaining a sense of safety with its schools remaining open, still felt the effects of war. Commercial activities came to a halt, and residents faced severe shortages of food and essential resources.
“People were left without work for 14 months and zero productivity. Those who had small sums of money had to spend them,” Alam said. Rmeich is known for its red-tiled houses, nestled among green hills renowned for tobacco cultivation. Alam noted that Christian festivities aim to bring hope and joy to families who have suffered and lost during the war. He promised to find ways to support those in pain. “Despite all these circumstances, we will identify means through which we can help them and stand by them,” he said. “We will bring joy to their hearts, as this is the least we can do after the resilience they demonstrated over the course of 14 months.”

UN relief chief vows to support Lebanon 'enter new phase'
Naharnet/December 24/2024
United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has vowed to help lead Lebanon into a new phase. "I will certainly be doing everything I can do to support Lebanon enter a new phase," Fletcher said in an televised interview with LBCI. Fletcher is in Lebanon in a humanitarian mission to raise money for 190 million people in need. He visited Monday war-hit south Lebanon and met with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Lebanon PM, UN peacekeepers call for accelerated Israeli withdrawal
Agence France Presse/December 24/2024
United Nations peacekeepers and caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati have called for the Israeli army to speed up its withdrawal from the country, nearly a month into a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. "UNIFIL strongly urges accelerated progress in the IDF's (Israeli military) withdrawal from and the LAF's (Lebanese army) deployment in south Lebanon," the force said in a statement Monday . It called on "all actors to cease and refrain from violations of (Security Council) resolution 1701 and any actions that could jeopardize the fragile stability that currently prevails".
That came after Mikati said the United States and France should put pressure on Israel to complete its withdrawal faster. The United States and France, along with Lebanon, Israel and UNIFIL, make up the committee tasked with maintaining communication between the parties to the ceasefire and ensuring any violations are identified and dealt with. As part of the truce agreement, the Lebanese army and peacekeepers will deploy in southern Lebanon as the Israeli army pulls out over a period of 60 days. "In order for the army to be able to fully accomplish its missions, the committee must... put pressure on the Israeli enemy to bring an end to all the violations" of the ceasefire, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in the town of Khiam during a tour of the south. "It is necessary to put pressure on the parties to the ceasefire agreement, namely the French and the Americans, to accelerate the process before the expiration of the 60-day period," he added, going on to accuse Israel of "dragging its feet". On December 11, the Lebanese army reported that it had deployed around Khiam, five kilometers from the border, in coordination with UNIFIL, following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the area.
Accusations of violations
Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported on Monday that "the Israeli enemy continues its invasion and attacks on southern Lebanese territories," where it has "raised the Israeli flag" on a hill between the towns of Bayada and Naqoura. The NNA frequently reports instances of Israel dynamiting homes in border villages. For its part, the Israeli army stated on Monday that it was continuing its "defensive activities" in the south "in accordance with the agreement", adding that it had "seized and dismantled various weapons and military equipment from a warehouse". The truce in southern Lebanon went into force on November 27 after more than a year of cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah that began with the outbreak of the war in Gaza. The exchanges of fire ultimately escalated into all-out war and the entry of Israeli troops into south Lebanon. Mikati said that he wanted to resolve any questions over the Blue Line -- the U.N.-demarcated boundary between Lebanon and Israel -- "so there will be no justification for any Israeli occupation of our land". He also said he was working with "the World Bank, the European Union, Arab countries and our international partners to create a trust fund" for reconstruction efforts. The World Bank estimated in October that the fighting had caused physical damage amounting to "at least $3.4 billion" in Lebanon.

PM Mikati chairs meeting of technical committee for monitoring ceasefire at Grand Serail
LBCI/December 24/2024
Prime Minister Najib Mikati is currently presiding over a meeting at the Grand Serail that includes Army Commander General Joseph Aoun and the technical committee for monitoring the ceasefire in the south. The meeting also includes the head of the committee, U.S. General Jasper Jeffers, along with members: French General Guillaume Ponchin, the commander of the South Litani Sector in the army, Brigadier General Edgar Lawandos, and the commander of the UNIFIL forces in the south, General Aroldo Lázaro.

Qatar's ambassador to Lebanon discusses economic ties, stresses importance of electing a president on January 9
LBCI/December 24/2024
Qatar's Ambassador to Lebanon, Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, discussed the latest developments in Lebanon across various levels with a delegation from economic organizations led by former minister Mohammad Choucair. The meeting at the Qatari embassy focused mainly on enhancing economic relations between the two brotherly countries. The discussions also addressed Qatar's efforts to bridge differences and push for the election of a Lebanese president. The meeting further explored shared aspects of the economic ties between the two nations, ways to develop them, and the significant opportunities available in this regard. During the meeting, Choucair expressed his gratitude to Qatar for its continued support of Lebanon and its initiatives to revive political momentum and put Lebanon back on the path to recovery and progress. He emphasized the strong desire of economic organizations to achieve a qualitative leap in bilateral economic relations. The Qatari ambassador welcomed the delegation led by Choucair, reaffirming Qatar's unwavering support for Lebanon on all levels and its ongoing efforts to ensure stability in the country, which he noted "must begin with the election of a Lebanese president." After the meeting, both sides stressed the importance of restoring the role of the Lebanese state through its various institutions and functions.  They also highlighted the urgency of electing a president during the January 9 session and forming a government swiftly to rescue the country and set it back on the path of recovery after the devastating crises it has endured.

Erdogan meets Walid Joumblatt in Ankara
LBCI/December 24/2024
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted a meeting with former Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader Walid Joumblatt in Ankara on Tuesday. Joumblatt's visit to Turkey comes after a trip to Syria, where he met the new Syrian leadership with a Druze delegation.

New UN Complaint Regarding Israeli Ceasefire Violations
This is Beirut/December 24/2024
The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lodged a complaint with the UN Security Council, expressing strong protest at Israel's repeated violations of “the announcement of cessation of hostilities” as well as “the commitments relating to enhanced security measures concerning the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 (known as ceasefire arrangements).”The ministry reported more than 816 ground and air violations between November 27 and December 22, 2024, according to the statement issued on Tuesday. Lebanon stressed that “Israeli violations, such as the shelling of Lebanese border villages, the dynamiting of houses, the destruction of residential neighborhoods, and the cutting off of roads undermine efforts to de-escalate and prevent military escalation,” according to the text. “They pose a serious threat to international efforts to establish security and stability in the region, complicate Lebanon's efforts to implement the provisions of Resolution 1701, and hinder the deployment of the Lebanese Army in the South”. In this context, Lebanon called on the Security Council, and in particular the countries guaranteeing these arrangements, “to take a firm and clear stance in the face of Israel's violations in order to compel it to respect its commitments to the cessation of hostilities announcement and international resolutions”. Lebanon also called for “increased support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese Army in order to preserve Lebanon's sovereignty and create the security conditions necessary for the restoration of its stability and a return to normal life in the south of the country”.

Civil Defense recovers three bodies from rubble in Khiam
LBCI/December 24/2024
The Lebanese Directorate General of Civil Defense announced in a statement that specialized search and rescue teams recovered three bodies from the rubble in the Jallahiya neighborhood of Khiam, South Lebanon. A prior Israeli airstrike had heavily targeted the area. The operation, conducted under the directives of Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi and overseen by acting Civil Defense Director General Brigadier General Nabil Farah, was carried out in coordination with the Lebanese Army. The victims were transported to Marjaayoun Governmental Hospital for identification.

Recording of pop star Alameh mocking Nasrallah stirs outrage in Lebanon
Naharnet/December 24/2024
A video that circulated online of Lebanese pop star Ragheb Alameh on a phone call with Emirati singer Abdullah Belkheir stirred outrage among Lebanese as Alameh hailed the killing of former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Nasrallah enjoys great popularity among his supporters and even some who do not support Hezbollah. He was killed in September in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs.In a country riven by sectarian and political divides that the latest war with Israel aggravated, people were divided between those who defended Alameh and those who were outraged by his words. The video shows Belkheir on loud speaker with someone who sounded like Alameh. Alameh urged him to visit Lebanon soon, adding that "we've got rid of Nasrallah." Belkheir replied with a laugh and said "Thank God." Alameh later said it was AI or someone imitating his voice. After the video, a group of men tried to vandalize a school owned by Alameh in Sainte Therese, Hadath. Alameh was born in Ghoubeiry in Beirut, into a Shiite family. He received a UAE golden visa in 2021.

Al-Rahi calls for Lebanon's return to 'positive neutrality'
Naharnet/December 24/2024
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi called Tuesday for Lebanon's return to "positive neutrality."In a Christmas speech, al-Rahi called for one army "instead of two armies" and for distancing Lebanon from wars, conflicts, and alliances. "Lebanon must protect its sovereignty and defend itself against any occupier, without interfering in the affairs of other states." "This neutrality enables Lebanon to play its active role as a place of meeting and dialogue between cultures and religions, and a defender of peace in the region," al-Rahi said.

Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian Calls for a Responsible President
This is Beirut/December 24/2024
The Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenian Catholics, Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, stressed the need to quickly elect a new President of the Republic, in a Christmas message on Tuesday. “The election of a President of the Republic is not a simple constitutional requirement“, but a sacred act that expresses a profound responsibility to the homeland and its people”, he declared. Patriarch Minassian, who presided over the mass at the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate in Achrafieh, also argued that “we need a leader who acts with the responsibility embodied in the message of the Christ, who sacrificed himself for the salvation of peoples, in order to offer them freedom and peace.” “Likewise, this president should prioritize the interests of the nation and carry in his heart the concerns and sufferings of the people, restore vitality to institutions and restore the people's confidence in a better future,” he added. The Armenian prelate also stressed that “the image of the leader is not limited to a person or a position, but to a responsibility that begins with each and every one of us”.

Mawlawi: The Need to Impose State Legitimacy in Lebanon
This is Beirut/December 24/2024
Caretaker Minister of Interior Judge Bassam Mawlawi said that the way for Lebanon to “overcome its serious and repeated crises is to return to legitimacy, the Taif Agreement and the law.”At a meeting with the Lebanese community in Riyadh, hosted by Fawzi Kabbara, Lebanon's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mawlawi stressed “the need, in Lebanon, for a strong state, with all its components and with ambition.”In his view, the Lebanese army and security forces are responsible for imposing legitimate authority throughout the country and controlling its borders. In this sense, he asserted that the establishment of legitimacy is the basis for the strength and stability of the state. At the same time, it enables the state to resist external and foreign ambitions. Mawlawi also stressed that if the Taif Agreement had been fully implemented, power would have been in the hands of the State. In this context, he stated that Lebanon is in a difficult region and its borders are sensitive. “To face up to foreign ambitions and aggression, the State must be strong thanks to its people, its army, its legitimate security forces, its institutions and its economy, while applying the law and adapting to progress and modernity,” he declared.
Finally, the caretaker Minister expressed the hope that Lebanon would soon have a President of the Republic “with a vision and a plan,” asserting that “it is impossible to resort to the same paths that, in the past, led Lebanon to its current situation.” “We have full confidence in the fact that brotherly and friendly countries, foremost among them Saudi Arabia, will be ready to return to Lebanon and invest in it,” he concluded, praising the successes of the Lebanese abroad.

MEA chairman Mohammad El Hout: Flights fully booked for the holiday season
LBCI/December 24/2024
Middle East Airlines (MEA) chairman Mohammad El Hout announced that all flights are fully booked for the holiday season, signaling a prosperous travel period. Following a meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, El Hout described the season as "thriving," though he noted that figures are expected to fall slightly short of those recorded in 2023. However, he highlighted a significant rebound in travel demand following the ceasefire. Since last week, El Hout also briefed Mikati on measures implemented to increase flights to Iraq, mainly to Baghdad and Najaf. He emphasized MEA's ongoing efforts to facilitate the return of Lebanese citizens from Iraq, stating that the airline has transported 14,000 Lebanese back to Lebanon since the war ended.

Fate of Lebanese fighters in Syria uncertain: A legal and political process
LBCI/December 24/2024
Ahmad Al Sharaa, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), announced the dissolution of armed factions in Syria and their integration under the Defense Ministry, effectively bringing them into the framework of the Syrian army. This announcement has sparked significant questions in Lebanon about the fate of hundreds of Lebanese young men, wanted by Lebanese authorities, who crossed into Syria following the outbreak of the civil war in March 2011 to fight with groups like Al-Nusra Front, ISIS, and others against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
Security sources disclosed to LBCI that approximately 1,200 Lebanese fighters initially joined these groups, most hailing from Tripoli, Akkar, and Aarsal. Around 600 of these individuals were killed in Syria and Iraq.  Among the remaining fighters are notable figures such as Shadi al Mawlawi, who was involved in violent clashes with the Lebanese army in Bab al-Tabbaneh, and Sheikh Sirajuddin Zureiqat, leader of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, accused of carrying out 'terrorist' bombings in Lebanon. LBCI has learned that al Mawlawi is currently detained in an HTS prison in Idlib, serving a one-year sentence handed down by the group for charges of espionage and prisoner abuse during his tenure as an interrogator. His sentence is set to expire on January 26, 2025. The majority of these Lebanese fighters are unlikely to return home due to outstanding arrest warrants and convictions in Lebanese courts on terrorism-related charges. However, Al Sharaa has opened the door for foreign fighters, including Lebanese nationals, who supported HTS in overthrowing the Syrian government to acquire Syrian citizenship potentially. This would allow them to join the Syrian army formally. The situation grows more complex if Lebanese authorities request the extradition of individuals accused of crimes against Lebanese citizens. Analysts suggest Al Sharaa's response will depend on Lebanon's approach.  Notably, Al Sharaa has expressed willingness to seek the extradition of Syrian detainees held in Lebanon on charges linked to the Syrian revolution, provided they are not implicated in domestic crimes within Lebanon.

ISF Warns of Fraudulent Schemes on WhatsApp
This is Beirut/December 24/2024
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) is warning citizens not to fall victim to scam schemes they may encounter through social networks. These scams typically involve messages received from foreign numbers via the WhatsApp application, "offering remote work opportunities and promises of earning money," according to data collected by the ISF Intelligence Division. In a statement issued on Tuesday by the ISF's Public Relations Division, the ISF urged Lebanese citizens "to verify the legality and existence of these companies before agreeing to work with them, providing services or transferring any funds." Citizens were also advised "not to share personal data, account information or financial details with untrustworthy parties," as stated in the warning. According to the ISF report, "The scam begins with an initial stage in which victims are asked to follow certain social media pages in exchange for financial gain. Some money is then sent to the victims' electronic wallets via a money transfer company in Lebanon. After a few successful transactions, victims are encouraged to invest on websites designed for 'phishing.' They are subsequently asked to transfer funds to specific accounts via the same money transfer company. This process leads to the theft of the funds, with no actual investment made."

The Maronite Curse…
Johnny Kortbawi/This is Beirut/December 24/2024
During World War I, a remarkable event, known as the Christmas Truce, occurred on Christmas Eve. Along the Western Front in Europe, opposing soldiers, without an official ceasefire or wide public announcement, gathered to share a meal in the spirit of Christmas. This holiday has the power to inspire miracles, provided faith is present. As Jesus Christ said, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”Christmas Eve often brings informal truces everywhere, except among the Maronite presidential candidates. As soon as Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri announced a presidential election session for January 9, the latent ambitions of many Maronites in Lebanon to assume the state’s top position resurfaced. Every MP, current or former, and every minister, successful or short-lived, began dreaming of gaining access to Baabda Palace, fueled by the hope of a compromise that could secure them the presidency. The issue is that the criteria for candidacy are not the same as those for positions like Speaker of Parliament. In the case of the second presidency, and throughout all terms since the Taif Agreement, Shiite MPs have consistently united behind one figure—Speaker Nabih Berri—and the other MPs find themselves unable to contest him, resulting in a decision imposed as a fait accompli.
The same applied to the Sunni community, which could not be bypassed for the position of Prime Minister for long. Over time, the actions of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) sought to establish new practices in appointing the Prime Minister and forming the cabinet, leading the country into a state of paralysis. At times, this resulted in the appointment of figurehead leaders, as seen with Hassan Diab’s government, which was ultimately brought down by the Beirut port explosion. As for Maronites, the greediness for a position that has been vacant for two years has made consensus impossible. To date, we count more than 10 candidates among the MPs who present themselves as presidential contenders, both behind the scenes and in public, seeking to show their ability to unite the Lebanese around their leadership in order to secure the presidency.
Four Christian bloc leaders are vying for the presidency, alongside independent MPs seeking to navigate around obstacles, and various other figures confidently meeting with political leaders to present their visions. Yet, none of them have considered holding a press conference, at the very least, to announce their candidacies clearly, openly and boldly, or to address the presidential election with a sense of responsibility, starting with popular legitimacy. Instead, they have become, by default, candidates under the umbrella of the existing political reality.
Once again, Maronites are highlighting their inability to unite in order to advance the role of their community. Instead, their focus is directed toward personal and often regional ambitions, as they work to build electoral support to elevate their reputation and expand their influence.
If Maronites are aiming for a president in the likes of Émile Lahoud, they will continue down this path and remain fragmented instead of asserting their choice to other blocs and uniting behind a single presidential candidate. This stands in stark contrast to 2016, when the two largest parliamentary blocs united behind Michel Aoun. However, the current situation is more than child’s play. Those who once supported the army commander are now hedging, launching various campaigns and maneuvering around their initial positions to stall and buy time. This reality will keep the presidency in limbo, subject to the decisions of other religious communities. It will ultimately lead to the election of a president who lacks the needed Christian support, with his term starting with opposition from within his own community, even before he assumes office.
The Christmas truce does not extend to Maronites, who are in greater need of the peace that Christmas brings. Otherwise, their role on the national stage will continue to decrease and weaken.

January 9 Session at Risk as Election Delay Looms
Philippe Abi-Akl/This is Beirut/December 24/2024
The fate of the January 9 presidential session hangs in the balance between the conflicting stances of Hezbollah and the opposition, each driven by its own motives. All eyes are now on the next 16 days to see how the situation unfolds before MPs reconvene under the parliamentary dome.
The key issue Walid Joumblatt brought back from Paris, coupled with the information shared with Nabih Berri about Joseph Aoun’s rising presidential prospects – stemming from his leadership of a key institution and his role in ensuring stability – has revitalized the stagnant presidential process. This development has prompted candidates to seek political support, especially as most blocs hesitate to finalize their positions, waiting for a clearer picture of the region following Syria’s “white coup” and the shifting dynamics.
However, diplomatic sources within the Quintet maintain that no president will be elected on January 9, as the presidential deal remains unresolved, despite Aoun’s increasing chances. If the opposition does not solidify its support for Aoun by that time, the votes will likely be divided among other candidates, preventing anyone from securing the necessary 65 votes. This would force Speaker Berri to reschedule the session, with sources suggesting it could take place in early spring, a month after Donald Trump assumes office.
In response to Joumblatt's move, several candidates, including Samir Assaf – who is backed by French President Emmanuel Macron – have declared their bids, raising the total number of contenders to over ten.
The delay in political blocs’ decisions regarding the presidential election can be attributed to several key factors. Hezbollah’s position, and by extension Iran’s, remains uncertain in the wake of Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapse and the loss of Syria. Iran had hoped to use its leverage in both Syria and Lebanon to negotiate with the United States – whether under Joe Biden or Donald Trump – to revive the nuclear deal. However, this effort faced obstacles, particularly due to the Trump administration’s rejection of Iran’s nuclear program and its demand to relocate uranium enrichment to a third country, as Iran had exceeded the enrichment limits outlined in the agreement, edging closer to nuclear weapons capabilities. Meanwhile, Israel continues to oppose Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.
There are also growing concerns about Hezbollah’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement and its willingness to disarm and hand over its weapons to the Lebanese State. Sources close to the party suggest that Hezbollah intends to retain its arsenal as leverage in negotiations with the US, seeking to secure future guarantees and preserve its influence, particularly in light of the 2008 Doha Agreement, which granted it significant influence over Lebanon’s “deep state” through positions such as the governorship of the Central Bank (BDL) and military leadership. In this context, Hezbollah has urged Sleiman Frangieh to maintain his candidacy, using it as a bargaining tool for the presidency.
Understanding the nature of the new Syrian regime, now under US influence, and the roles of Russia and Turkey in Syria is critical. Israel’s strategic consolidation in Mount Hermon, following Syria’s internal upheaval, remains a significant factor. Furthermore, Israel’s stance on the ceasefire agreement, including its demand for Hezbollah to disarm and withdraw from southern Lebanon, is crucial. The potential impact of Israeli threats of a decisive strike against Iran adds another layer of complexity, as such a move could dramatically shift the regional balance. US sources are closely monitoring this development. Finally, the consequences of Israel’s threats to target Hezbollah sites in case of a ceasefire breach, and the international pressure that would follow, remain uncertain. Diplomatic sources reveal that Lebanon’s next president will be determined by the intricate and evolving political landscape. The opposition views delaying the election as advantageous, further weakening the Shiite Amal-Hezbollah duo. Therefore, it sees no urgency in electing a president, especially with the upcoming transition to the Trump administration, which could shift the balance of power and alter the political dynamics.
This raises crucial questions: will Hezbollah decide to back Aoun before Trump takes office, aligning with the opposition to elect him on January 9? Or will it continue supporting Frangieh to block the army commander, derail the January 9 session and delay the election until after January 20? Ultimately, will both local and international developments force the acceleration of the election process?
The Lebanese Forces’ position at the start of 2025 is expected to settle the presidential election debate, potentially accelerating Aoun’s election in the January 9 session with a majority exceeding 100 votes. This would mirror Michel Sleiman’s 2008 election, when he garnered 108 votes. At the time, MPs viewed surpassing the two-thirds majority as implicit approval of a constitutional amendment, effectively blocking any legal challenge, which had to be filed within 24 hours by one-third of parliament or 43 MPs, according to Article 41 of the Internal Regulations of the Constitutional Council.

The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on December 24-25/2024
Bethlehem's silent Christmas: A cry for peace in the Holy Land
LBCI/December 24/2024
In Bethlehem, the city where the story of Christ began, a somber quiet replaces the usual festive cheer for the second consecutive year. Known as the birthplace of Jesus Christ and home to the historic Church of the Nativity—one of the world's oldest churches built atop the grotto where Christ was born—the city finds itself subdued under the shadow of Israel's ongoing war on Gaza. As with the previous year, traditional celebrations have been replaced by solemn religious rituals this Christmas. The streets lack the usual vibrant lights and joyful decorations, while festive music is notably absent. Instead, hundreds of faithful gather at midnight in the Church of the Nativity for a special Christmas Mass led by Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Traveling from Jerusalem to join the faithful in Bethlehem, Pizzaballa expressed hope that this year's Christmas might mark the end of decades of suffering in Palestine. Patriarch Pizzaballa delivered a heartfelt message during the Mass: "Everyone speaks of the Holy Land as a place of war, hatred, and division. But as Christians celebrating Christmas here in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, we want to tell the world that brotherhood among humans is possible. The purpose of Christmas is to work for unity among people because, on this day, we celebrate God being with us."
As prayers echo through the ancient church, the faithful cling to the hope that this Christmas will turn the page on the conflict in Palestine and usher in a new chapter filled with hope and renewal for a land and its people yearning for peace.

Gaza Christians pray for end of ‘death and destruction’
AFP/December 24, 2024
GAZA CITY: Hundreds of Christians in war-ravaged Gaza City gathered at a church on Tuesday, praying for an end to the war that has devastated much of the Palestinian territory. Gone were the sparkling lights, the festive decorations, and the towering Christmas tree that had graced Gaza City for decades. The Square of the Unknown Soldier, once alive with the spirit of the season, now lay in ruins, reduced to rubble by relentless Israeli air strikes. Amid the rubble, the faithful sought solace even as fighting continued to rage across the coastal strip on Tuesday. “This Christmas carries the stench of death and destruction,” said George Al-Sayegh, who for weeks has sought refuge in the 12th century Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius. “There is no joy, no festive spirit. We don’t even know who will survive until the next holiday.”A part of the church itself was destroyed in an Israeli air strike in October last year, in which 18 Palestinian Christians were killed, according to the territory’s health ministry. About 1,100 Christians live in Gaza, a community that has also faced the brunt of the war since October 7 last year, when fighting between Israel and Hamas broke out. Israel’s recent air strikes, including one that killed several children according to the territory’s civil defense agency, have come under severe criticism from Pope Francis. “With pain I think of Gaza, of so much cruelty, of the children being machine-gunned, of the bombings of schools and hospitals. What cruelty,” the pope said after his weekly Angelus prayer on Sunday.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had slammed the pontiff’s comment, saying they showed “double standards.” But the pain and sorrow are visible in Gaza, and for Gaza City resident Kamal Jamil Caesar Anton, the festive season of Christmas is marred by profound grief. Last December, his wife Nahida and daughter Samar were killed by Israeli sniper fire within the compound of the Holy Family Church, he said. “We pray for peace, for the war to end so that the people can live safely,” Anton said.
His sentiments were echoed by resident Ramez Al-Souri who also suffered a bitter tragedy during the air strike that hit the Church of Saint Porphyrius. His three children were among those killed in that attack. “We are still suffering. We didn’t celebrate last year because of the destruction,” Souri said. “This year we hoped for an end to the war, but every day we lose loved ones.” Local Christian community leader George Anton hoped the warring sides would end the fighting soon. “We call on all parties to end the war and to seek a true path to peace,” he said. “We hope both peoples can live in harmony and security.”

How Syria’s Christians are marking Christmas amid political change and uncertainty
Nadia Alfaour/Arab news/December 24, 2024
DUBAI: For Father Iyad Ghanem, a Catholic priest at the Syriac Archdiocese of Homs and Hama, two of Syria’s four largest cities, this Christmas represents both new beginnings and the end of a dark chapter in Syria’s history. In the wake of the dramatic developments that led to the ousting of Syria’s long-time President Bashar Assad on Dec. 8, Christians in the country are celebrating Christmas under the transitional government of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) for the first time.HTS, a rebel group led by Ahmad Al-Sharaa, Syria’s de facto leader, has sought to reassure minority communities, including Kurds, Alawites and Shiites, as it distances itself from its hardline Islamist roots. For many Christians, the end of the Assad era has come as a veritable Christmas gift. “Our churches are at peace, and we, as clergymen, are free to conduct our masses. Yet, it is too early for the parish to pass judgment on HTS. The atmosphere remains uncertain, and much is left to unfold,” Father Iyad told Arab News. “Our country and community have endured so much over the past 13 years. With this new era upon us, we must free ourselves from fear, find the voices that were silenced for so long, and eliminate radicalism in all its forms. This is all unfamiliar territory, and we are still adjusting.”Syria is part of a region often referred to as the “cradle of Christianity,” making it one of the earliest places in the world to host a Christian community. In the town of Maaloula, a handful of villages still speak Aramaic, the ancient dialect of Christ, to this day. Once numbering over a million, Syria’s Christian population has dwindled to just 3 percent owing to the prolonged war that began in 2011 and the rise of Daesh in 2014. The violence and persecution left them vulnerable, forcing a large-scale exodus to Western countries. Rassem Sairafi, a Christian from Homs, said he is optimistic about Syria’s future and hopes for a democratic and free nation. “Many educated Syrians are returning from abroad. If they are included in the new government, I believe we will be in safe hands,” he told Arab News. “Historically, Syria’s Sunni majority has been moderate. It was only during the war that began in 2011 that sectarianism took root. Hopefully, we can leave that behind and ensure we do not replace one dictatorship with another.”
FAST FACTS
Christianity in Syria dates back to the 1st century AD.
Before the Syrian civil war, they made up roughly 10% of the population. The Assad regime left Syria in ruins. Its legacy is starkly evident in decimated infrastructure, a deeply entrenched corrupt political system, and a bankrupt economy that has pushed 90 percent of the population below the poverty line.
In a report for the US public broadcaster PBS on Dec. 12, correspondent Simona Foltyn said: “Streets are getting busier by the day and shops and government institutions are slowly returning to work. “The opposition has taken over government institutions in the capital, Damascus, and has begun the task of governing the country, using its experience in Idlib as a blueprint. But administrating a whole country, as opposed to a province, is quite a different matter, and it remains to be seen how easily it can be scaled.”She added: “Apart from the joy and relief, the mundane but vital work of making a country function is job number one for many.” With Assad’s fall, Christians face additional uncertainty as a religious minority about their fate under the country’s new rulers. They feel that their future hangs in the delicate balance of a new era and constitution.
The Christian community, like all Syrians, endured severe hardships under Assad’s regime and so regards the new government with a mix of caution and optimism.
“We are nervous because we are unsure. We do not know what the future holds,” said Rawaa, a Christian from Damascus. “But we are aware of HTS’s history. While their recent legislative decisions are comforting, we remain eager to see if they will uphold these commitments over time.”Despite being hailed as Syria’s “liberators” and Al-Sharaa’s recent efforts to rebrand himself — shedding his military persona as Abu Mohamad Al-Jolani to adopt the image of a statesman — the country’s stability and economic recovery remain precarious. HTS is still designated as a terrorist group by the UN, US, EU, and UK, among many others, as it started as a splinter group of Al-Qaeda, which it broke away from in 2016.
Once confined to the overcrowded and impoverished northwestern region of Idlib but now acting as the self-imposed caretaker government in Damascus, HTS faces the daunting challenge of rebuilding a nation devastated by years of corruption and mismanagement under Assad. In an effort to stave off chaos, Al-Sharaa has taken steps to restore basic services in some areas, called for the preservation of state institutions, and promoted the vision of an inclusive society and a peaceful transition to new governance. Senior leaders of the transitional government continue to meet with representatives of various religious communities, emphasizing their commitment to protecting minority rights as part of broader efforts to reassure both Syrians and the international community.
Both Father Iyad and Rawaa voiced their aversion to the use of the term “minority” when describing their community, insisting they are an integral part of Syria’s fabric and one of the essential components that define the country. This year, across various parts of the country, only churches have adorned their doors and squares with Christmas decorations — a gesture that Rawaa interprets as a sign of hope for the future. However, celebrations remain subdued. Many, including Rawaa’s family and friends, are opting for private gatherings. “My neighborhood hasn’t put up Christmas decorations since the war began 13 years ago, and this year is no different,” Rawaa told Arab News. “But it’s not out of fear of HTS. It’s because of the shortages we face and the hardships we endure. We lack electricity, fuel, and financial resources. The population is struggling, and the festive spirit is hard to find in such conditions.”
“Our celebrations will be within our homes, with close family and friends,” Rawaa said. “This is a new experience for us. While there has been no persecution from HTS, we are proceeding cautiously. The transitional government has promised to launch awareness campaigns to combat radicalism if necessary. Time will tell if they fulfill that promise.” Mary Bitar, a Christian from Damascus, saw reason for optimism amid the adversities in the lead-up to Christmas. “People are out and about. No one is being harassed. We may lack Christmas lights because of the electricity shortages, but our hearts are full, and we remain hopeful,” she said. In his comments, Father Iyad emphasized that isolated acts of terrorism must be addressed before they escalate, citing a recent incident in Hama where armed men desecrated a Christian graveyard and set crosses in town squares ablaze. “Small factions that align themselves with HTS must be controlled,” he told Arab News. “Those seeking to sow chaos must be stopped. We will not tolerate any radicalized behavior.”Despite these challenges, Father Iyad remains steadfast in his message of hope. “My wish is for unity — a just legislation that provides equal rights to all Syrians. A peaceful, beautiful Syria for everyone.”

‘Many have had their eyes opened for the first time’ to Palestine’s occupation, Bethlehem’s Rev. Munther Isaac tells Arab News
Daoud Kuttab/Arab News/December 24, 2024
BETHELHEM: Amid the ongoing suffering in Gaza, Rev. Munther Isaac, the Palestinian pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, told Arab News that his enduring source of hope is his “faith in God and the resilience of our Palestinian people.”Isaac, who last Christmas drew global attention after his church displayed a nativity featuring the baby Jesus draped in a keffiyeh amid a heap of rubble, representing the war in Gaza, said he had been taken aback by the worldwide response to his imagery. “It has been a year since we installed Christ in the rubble in our church here in Bethlehem, and honestly I am shocked and horrified to my core that this war is still going on and that all our efforts, demonstrations around the world, the cries and the images of people, children killed didn’t stop this war,” he said. Israel mounted a devastating military operation in Gaza in retaliation for the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed some 1,200 people, most of them Israeli civilians, and saw around 250 taken hostage, including scores of foreign nationals. The bombardment of Gaza and strangulation of aid flows into the embattled territory has resulted in more than 43,000 deaths, some 70 percent of the women and children, according to health ministry officials, leading to accusations of genocide. Isaac said the widespread revulsion inspired by the conflict had created a worldwide movement in support of the Palestinian cause, with several churches around the globe copying the imagery of Jesus in the rubble to show their support. “I still receive these days, a year on, images of churches around the world that have created something similar, whether in their churches or church leaders carrying signs with the image of Jesus in the rubble or using that metaphor that if Jesus was born today he would be found in the rubble,” he said. The Palestinian pastor said he has been “overwhelmed” by that response and the media attention. “I am grateful that this has enabled us to speak about the suffering of our people, that it enabled us to try as much as we can to humanize our message that this is about children, about real people,” he said. “We are seeing people united together in churches and sometimes in synagogues with the aim of convincing the warlords, which they called them, to stop this war.”
But the native of the Bethlehem district town of Beit Sahour, where the biblical story of the Shepherds watching their flock by night occurred, called on supporters and those who can show solidarity with Palestinians to visit the occupied territories.
Isaac, who is also the academic dean at the Bethlehem Bible College, oversaw an international conference in May titled “Christ at the Checkpoint,” which drew hundreds of attendees from across the globe. “It was great to see people come from around the world to express their support and solidarity, to stay in our hotels and cater to our restaurants and shops,” said Isaac. Bethlehem’s tourism industry has been badly hit by the dramatic fall in visitor numbers since the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023. Prior to the conflict, well over a million pilgrims and tourists would visit the birthplace of Jesus every year.
Isaac has become a global voice for Christians and Palestinians, attending meetings with national security officials at the White House, participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London, and recently speaking in a South Africa mosque.
He was damning in his assessment of the US President-elect Donald Trump’s new cabinet picks, including the new US ambassador to Israel, Michael Huckabee, who has said he does not believe there is an Israeli occupation.
“When you look at what they are saying, that there is no occupation, that it is Judea and Samaria (rather than the West Bank), it clearly shows their imagined reality of Palestine from their biblical understanding, Trump’s (understanding), (removed from) any reality on the ground, whether it is international law or the reality we are living in,” said Isaac. “When he says there is no occupation, I want to take him with me when we take our kids to school every day, and we pass by a checkpoint with (Israeli) soldiers pointing their guns at us.” Isaac said the most dangerous thing about the holders of this ideology is that they “have a totally different sphere or reality to them. It is the imagined biblical times. God has given the land to Israel, and it does not matter what international law says. “It does not matter that Palestinians have lived on this land for generations. To them, the only reality that matters is the way they understand the Bible.
“I find it strange that these are the very same people that preach to the world about the separation of state and religion, yet here they are imposing their own religious beliefs on me and our people, and they want all of us in the Middle East to accept not only their religion but to accept the way they interrupt the Bible, which is something not all Christians agree on. “And they want to impose it on Arabs, on Palestinians, even on Palestinian Christians with a total disregard for reality or international law.”
However, Isaac said he is seeing changes, or what he called “cracks in the wall,” in how Christians are responding. “I receive lots of messages and I begin to see this change, and the crimes that Israel is committing are so hard to ignore,” he said.
In his Christmas sermon last year, Isaac said the conflict in Gaza had divided the world. Now he says Gaza “has created a division also among Christians in how they see the world.” “Some still believe and continue with the narrative in the West that Israel is defending itself and that this is a legitimate war or the Christian Zionist brand that says that this is Israel’s land to begin with, while others who are more concerned about justice and human rights are beginning to speak out,” he said.
“Many have had their eyes opened for the first time. Let us not forget that many in the West do not even realize Palestinian Christians exist. So, when they see and hear from pastors that even the church in Gaza was attacked and that Christians in Gaza are killed, women were shot dead in the church yard, it challenges their perspectives that this change is not enough to stop the war.” Isaac says there are many parallels between the Christmas story and what Palestinians are living through today. “Jesus was born under occupation, became a refugee, and survived the massacre of children,” he said. “All these are stories in the gospel. When we look at Jesus, we find hope. When we look at God, who is good and just, we have hope. “That is why, this Christmas season, our hope comes from our faith. We will continue to pray.”“I am shocked and horrified to my core that this war is still going on,” said Rev. Munther Isaac. (Supplied)
Like last year, Bethlehem’s festive decorations will again be more muted in a sign of respect to those killed and suffering in Gaza. “Yes, we will not light Christmas trees and Santas,” said Isaac. “That enables us to talk about the true meaning of Christmas.”
The heads of the various churches of Jerusalem have also called on church leaders to share messages of hope during this year’s Christmas celebrations. “Our faith is being tested and we need to keep the faith,” said Isaac. “This is the place that Christianity started, there has been an ongoing Christian presence in Bethlehem in Jerusalem and in Nazareth for 2,000 years, and I believe there will be Christian presence after this.
“As long as we are committed to keep the witness from the place where it all started, I think we can survive this period.”

Syria authorities say armed groups have agreed to disband
AFP/December 24, 2024
DAMASCUS: Syria’s new authorities announced Tuesday that they had reached an agreement with the country’s militant groups on their dissolution and integration into the regular defense forces. Photos published by the state-run SANA news agency showed the country’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, surrounded by the heads of several armed factions — but not representatives of the Kurdish-led forces in Syria’s northeast. The meeting “ended in an agreement on the dissolution of all the groups and their integration under the supervision of the ministry of defense,” said a statement carried by SANA and the authorities’ Telegram account. On Sunday, Sharaa had said the new authorities would “absolutely not allow there to be weapons in the country outside state control.” That also applied to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, he said. Last week, the military chief of Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham — the group that spearheaded the offensive that toppled president Bashar Assad — told AFP that Kurdish-held areas would be integrated under the new leadership, and that “Syria will not be divided.” Thirteen years of civil war in Syria has left more than half a million people dead and fragmented the country into zones of influence controlled by different armed groups backed by regional and international powers.

Netanyahu says there is 'some progress' in ceasefire and hostage deal efforts
Associated Press/December 24/2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there is “some progress” in efforts to reach a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza, although he added he could not give a time frame for a possible agreement. Of the roughly 250 people who were taken hostage in the Hamas-led raid on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 that sparked the war, around 100 are still inside the Gaza Strip, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Speaking in the Knesset Monday, Netanyahu said “we are taking significant actions through all channels to return our loved ones. I would like to tell you cautiously that there is some progress.”Netanyahu said he could not reveal details of what was being done to secure the return of hostages. He said the main reasons for the progress were the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and Israel’s military actions against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants who had been firing rockets into Israel from neighboring Lebanon in support of Hamas. “Hamas hoped that Iran and Hezbollah would come to its aid but they are busy licking the wounds from the blows we inflicted on them,” he said, adding that Israel was also putting “relentless military pressure” on Hamas in Gaza.“There is progress. I don’t know how long it will take,” Netanyahu said.

US NGO believes missing journalist Austin Tice 'alive' in Syria
Agence France Presse/December 24/2024
US group Hostage Aid Worldwide said Tuesday that it believes journalist Austin Tice, who went missing in Syria in 2012, is still alive, though it did not offer concrete information on his whereabouts. "We have data that Austin is alive till January 2024, but the president of the US said in August that he is alive, and we are sure that he is alive today," Hostage Aid Worldwide's Nizar Zakka said. US group also said it believed Syrian-American bishop Yohanna Ibrahim, missing in Syria since 2013, was being held by the authorities under ousted president Bashar al-Assad. "He is a U.S. citizen," Zakka told reporters in Damascus, adding Ibrahim "was seen in 2018 in Branch 291" of the security forces. The senior Aleppo cleric of the Syriac Orthodox Church was kidnapped in April 2013.

Israel acknowledges it killed ex-Hamas leader Haniyeh in Tehran
Agence France Presse/December 24/2024
Defense Minister Israel Katz has acknowledged that Israel killed former Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this year, as he warned the military would "decapitate" the leadership of Yemen’s Houthi rebels. "We will strike hard at the Houthis... and decapitate their leadership -- just as we did with Haniyeh, (Yahya) Sinwar, and (Sayyed Hassan) Nasrallah in Tehran, Gaza, and Lebanon, we will do so in Hodeida and Sanaa," Katz said, in the first public acknowledgement that Israel was behind the killing of Haniyeh in July in the Iranian capital.

Israeli military says a commander injured during operation in West Bank
Reuters/December 25, 2024
CAIRO: The Israeli military said on Wednesday that a commander was moderately injured after his vehicle was hit by an explosive device during a “counter-terrorism” operation in the area of Tulkarm in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israeli army forces patients out of a north Gaza hospital
Reuters/December 24, 2024
CAIRO: Israeli troops forced the evacuation of the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza and many patients, some of them on foot, arrived at another hospital miles away in Gaza City, the territory’s health ministry said on Tuesday. The Indonesian Hospital is one of the Gaza Strip’s few still partially functioning hospitals, on its northern edge, an area that has been under intense Israeli military pressure for nearly three months. Israel says its operation around the three northern Gaza communities surrounding the hospital — Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and Jabalia — is targeting Hamas militants. Palestinians accuse Israel of seeking to permanently depopulate northern Gaza to create a buffer zone, which Israel denies. Munir Al-Bursh, director of the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, said the Israeli army had ordered hospital officials to evacuate it on Monday, before storming it in the early hours of Tuesday and forcing those inside to leave. He said two other medical facilities in northern Gaza, Al-Awda and Kamal Adwan Hospitals, were also subject to frequent assaults by Israeli troops operating in the area. “Occupation forces have taken the three hospitals out of medical service because of the repeated attacks that undermined them and destroyed parts of them,” Bursh said in a statement. The Israeli military said it was looking into the report. Officials at the three hospitals have so far refused orders by Israel to evacuate their facilities or leave patients unattended since the new military offensive began on Oct. 5. Israel says it has been facilitating the delivery of medical supplies, fuel and the transfer of patients to other hospitals in the enclave during that period in collaboration with international agencies such as the World Health Organization. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital, said they resisted a new order by the army to evacuate hundreds of patients, their companions and staff, adding that the hospital has been under constant Israeli fire that damaged generators, oxygen pumps and parts of the building.
Israeli forces have operated in the vicinity of the hospital since Monday, medics said.
NEW STRIKES
Meanwhile, Israeli bombardment continued elsewhere in the enclave and medics said at least nine Palestinians, including a member of the civil emergency service, were killed in four separate military strikes across the enclave on Tuesday. The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Israel’s campaign against Hamas has since killed more than 45,200 Palestinians, according to health officials in the Hamas-run enclave. Most of the population of 2.3 million has been displaced and much of Gaza is in ruins. A fresh bid by mediators Egypt, Qatar and the United States to end the fighting and release Israeli and foreign hostages has gained momentum this month, though no breakthrough has yet been reported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said progress had been made in hostage negotiations with Hamas but that he did not know how much longer it would take to see the results. Gaps between Israel and Hamas over a possible Gaza ceasefire have narrowed, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials’ remarks on Monday, though crucial differences have yet to be resolved.

Israel probe finds troops’ presence led to killing of six Gaza hostages
AFP/December 25, 2024
JERUSALEM: The Israeli army said on Tuesday it had concluded that military operations in southern Gaza likely led to the killing by Hamas of six hostages in August. As the fighting churns on, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile said that an Israeli delegation returned from a “significant” round of talks in Qatar aiming to secure a truce and the release of dozens of hostages still held in the Gaza Strip. In late August, after troops found the six hostages’ bodies in an underground shaft in Rafah, the military said they were killed just before soldiers reached them.
Netanyahu said at the time that the six — Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino — were “executed” with a bullet “to the head.”The military probe into their deaths found that Israeli “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” the army said in a statement on Tuesday. It said that “based on the investigation, the hostages were murdered by gunfire from Hamas terrorists” while Israeli forces were operating in the Tel Al-Sultan area. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group responded to the army’s statement by calling for action to bring back all remaining hostages. “The time has come to bring back all the hostages. We need a deal that will ensure the return of all hostages within a quick and predetermined timeframe,” it said in a statement. Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, have taken place in Doha in recent days, rekindling hope of an agreement that has proven elusive. On Monday, Netanyahu told parliament that there was “some progress” in the negotiations, and on Tuesday his office said Israeli negotiators had returned from Qatar after “significant negotiations.” “The team is returning for internal consultations in Israel regarding the continuation of negotiations for the return of our hostages,” it added.
Hamas and other Palestinian groups have also reported progress this week toward a ceasefire. The war was sparked by Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, during which militants seized 251 hostages. Ninety-six of them are still held in Gaza, including 34 the army says are dead. The attack resulted in 1,208 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed at least 45,338 people in Gaza, a majority of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry that the UN considers reliable.

Slovenia calls for Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision 2025
Arab News/December 24, 2024
LONDON: Slovenia has called on the European Broadcasting Union to disqualify Israel from the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest over its ongoing military actions in Gaza, Israeli media reported. Slovenia’s public broadcaster, RTV SLO, formally submitted a letter to the EBU urging Israel’s exclusion, citing its attacks on the Gaza Strip as grounds for disqualification. The broadcaster warned that Slovenia might withdraw from the contest entirely if its request is denied. The controversy follows Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar’s recent comments condemning Israel and Russia for violating the UN Charter with their respective wars in Gaza and Ukraine. She emphasized that Israel’s actions were on a “much larger scale.”Eurovision, which celebrates its 69th edition next year, has faced repeated criticism over Israel’s participation. In the most recent competition, several artists called for Israel’s boycott, arguing that its military operations in Gaza conflicted with the contest’s values. Protests also erupted earlier this year in Malmo, Sweden, during Israel’s qualification for the finals. Organizers resisted calls to disqualify Israel maintaining that Eurovision is a “non-political event” and noting that Russia’s exclusion in 2022 was due to the suspension of Russian broadcasters from the EBU for “persistent breaches of membership obligations and violations of public service values.”Israel’s place in Eurovision faces further uncertainty amid domestic moves to privatize Kan, the country’s public broadcaster. While Israel qualifies for Eurovision as a member of the EBU, the union warned this week that Kan’s privatization would result in Israel’s removal from the organization. “Privatising Kan would lead to its removal from our union, limit Israel’s role in international events like Eurovision and prevent Israeli viewers from accessing content such as the 2026 World Cup” the letter from EBU read. Alon Gellert, Kan’s representative in the Knesset, described attempts to exclude Israel from Eurovision as part of efforts by “antisemitic organizations and Palestinian activists.”He warned, however, that dismantling Kan could inadvertently achieve those objectives. “The state of Israel fights tirelessly to prevent such exclusion. Now, through our own actions, we risk achieving their goals,” Gellert said. The Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to take place in May 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, following the country’s victory in 2024 with Nemo’s song “The Code.”

Former Israeli hostage dies one year after release from Gaza
LBCI/AFP/December 24/2024
A former Israeli hostage who was held by Hamas died of illness Tuesday, the first to pass away over a year after she was released alongside dozens of others in a hostage exchange deal. A statement from her Nir Oz kibbutz announced the passing of Hanna Katzir, who was taken hostage with her son, Elad, during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. An Israeli government official meanwhile said she had been recognized as a victim of the Hamas attack. “Hanna Katzir, 76, kidnapped from her home in Nir Oz during the massacre on October 7th and released during the ceasefire on November 24, 2023, died on December 24, 2024, after a complex medical situation since her release. She has been recognized as a victim of terrorism,” the official said in a statement.

Turkey aiming for maritime agreement with Syria: Transport minister
LBCI/Reuters/December 24/2024
Turkey is aiming to strike a maritime demarcation agreement with Syria after a permanent government is formed in Damascus, Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said Tuesday. Turkey, which backed Syrian rebels who toppled President Bashar al-Assad this month after a 13-year civil war, has been in close contact with the new interim administration of its neighbor, including Turkey's intelligence chief and foreign minister meeting with de-facto Syrian leader Ahmad Al Sharaa. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan last week said Ankara would improve ties with Syria including in trade, energy and defense. Turkey is also planning to start negotiations with the new Syrian administration on a possible maritime demarcation agreement, Transport Minister Uraloglu told reporters. "Of course an authority must first be established there... It will be on our agenda for sure, but it's hard to say that it's on today's agenda," Uraloglu said. The maritime demarcation agreement would be in line with international law and would allow two countries to determine authorities for oil and hydrocarbon exploration, the minister also said.

Iran lifts ban on WhatsApp and Google Play, state media says
Reuters/December 24, 2024
DUBAI: Iranian authorities have lifted a ban on Meta’s instant messaging platform WhatsApp and Google Play as a first step to scale back Internet restrictions, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday. The Islamic Republic has some of the strictest controls on Internet access in the world, but its blocks on US-based social media such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are routinely bypassed by tech-savvy Iranians using virtual private networks. “A positive majority vote has been reached to lift limitations on access to some popular foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Google Play,” Iran’s official IRNA news agency said on Tuesday, referring to a meeting on the matter headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian. “Today the first step in removing Internet limitations... has been taken,” IRNA cited Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sattar Hashemi as saying. Social media platforms were widely used in anti-government protests in Iran. In September the United States called on Big Tech to help evade online censorship in countries that heavily sensor the Internet, including Iran.

The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on December 24-25/2024
Is Trump Looking for a Grand Bargain With China?
Gordon G. Chang/Gatestone Institute./December 24, 2024
[T]rying to reach a grand bargain with China — what [Trump] was hinting at — would be exactly the wrong approach at this or any other moment.
Trump has already tried to reach an accommodation with China: his Phase One Trade pact of January 2020. He calls it "the best trade deal" ever, but it is now widely viewed as a bust. The Chinese, during an election year in America, never honored its terms.
[Chinese President Xi Jinping's] actions are the inevitable result of China's communist political system, which idealizes violence, struggle, and domination. This system means there can be no accommodation with the Communist Party.
The Chinese regime believes the world is its enemy. No enduring understanding, pact, deal or agreement is possible.
"China and the United States can together solve all of the problems of the world, if you think about it," President-Elect Donald Trump said on December 16. But trying to reach a grand bargain with China — what he was hinting at — would be exactly the wrong approach at this or any other moment. The Chinese regime believes the world is its enemy. No enduring understanding, pact, deal or agreement is possible. Pictured: Chinese President Xi Jinping hosts then President Trump in Beijing on November 9, 2017. (Photo by Thomas Peter-Pool/Getty Images)
"China and the United States can together solve all of the problems of the world, if you think about it," President-Elect Donald Trump said on December 16, at a Mar-a-Lago press conference.
He also called China's President Xi Jinping "amazing" and confirmed he had invited the Chinese leader to his inauguration.
Earlier in the month, Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris and stated this in connection with efforts to end the war in Eastern Europe: "China can help."
The victorious Trump of December was noticeably more friendly to China than the Trump of the long, grueling campaign. During the campaign, the Republican candidate was often in trade-war mode, promising to impose an additional across-the-board tariff of more than 60% on all Chinese goods.
"Trump wants to keep them all guessing," Gregory Copley, president of the International Strategic Studies Association, told Gatestone after the Mar-a-Lago press event. So which Trump will we see starting at noon on January 20, 2025?
Only one individual truly knows, and Trump himself is not showing his hand. In any event, trying to reach a grand bargain with China — what he was hinting at — would be exactly the wrong approach at this or any other moment.
Trump, of course, likes to make deals — famously he is the co-author of Trump: The Art of the Deal — and he could very well be looking to strike one with the Chinese regime. As Michael Schuman, writing in The Atlantic, pointed out, "a 'grand bargain' with Beijing has obvious appeal."
Solving all the world's problems, something Trump believes Xi and he can do, would ideally be one of them.
There are, however, problems confronting the next American president as he looks to strike a deal with Beijing. As an initial matter, Trump has already tried to reach an accommodation with China: his Phase One Trade pact of January 2020. He calls it "the best trade deal" ever, but it is now widely viewed as a bust. The Chinese, during an election year in America, never honored its terms. It is unlikely that Trump can do better this time with a Xi Jinping who is even far more arrogant than he was four years ago.
Second, Trump, despite what he says, does not have a good relationship with Xi. "What Mr. Trump does not recognize is that the Chinese cultural concept of 'friendship' is a transactional relationship," Charles Burton of the Sinopsis think tank told Gatestone. "Xi will never be his buddy because he sees himself as making his mark in Chinese history by becoming the global hegemonic successor to emperors of China's self-defined glory days and to whom all must abase themselves in affirmation."
As Burton, who once served as a Canadian diplomat in Beijing, notes, "Xi wants to manipulate the U.S. president into becoming aligned with the Chinese Communist Party's worldview and ambitions and fecklessly abandon U.S. global leadership."
Burton has it right. For decades, American presidents believed they could cooperate with Chinese communists, and State Department diplomats thought they could make China a "responsible stakeholder" in the international system. Yet whenever American leaders after the Cold War worked with Beijing on the issues of the day, their diplomacy produced horrible results, something particularly evident during the Global War on Terrorism, the Six-Party Talks to "denuclearize" North Korea, and the war in Ukraine.
American hopes of cooperation with China were always unrealistic. As Burton suggests, the Chinese regime has from the beginning dreamed of replacing the Westphalian international order of sovereign states with the Chinese imperial-era system in which emperors believed they not only had the Mandate of Heaven to rule tianxia — "All Under Heaven" — but they also were compelled by Heaven to do so.
Worse, Xi apparently believes that the United States, because of its inspirational impact on the Chinese people, poses an existential threat to his Communist Party rule. New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman can argue that China should "let in more Taylor Swifts," but that is exactly what Xi Jinping, who has been relentlessly attacking foreign culture, does not want to do.
Third, Trump faces an additional hurdle in his hoped-for dealings with the Chinese leader: Xi probably no longer has the clout in Beijing he once possessed. The new American president can make a deal with Xi, but the arrangement may not stick because of discord inside China's increasingly turbulent ruling group.
"Trump knows that Xi Jinping has been brought back under control by the Communist Party of China and by his loss of a power base within the People's Liberation Army," Copley, also editor-in-chief of Defense & Foreign Affairs Strategic Policy, pointed out. The issue is whether the Chinese leader still has the power to act. Xi is embattled: There are signs and hints of instability across his regime.
Moreover, thanks to Xi, only the most hostile answers are considered politically acceptable in Beijing, so it would be hard for him to compromise and, more important, to honor promises. Xi has based his policies during the last decade on the premise that China is ascendant. His signature line, from a speech in December 2020, is "the East is rising and the West is declining."An arrogant Xi Jinping is clearly in no mood to come to terms with Trump — or anyone else for that matter. Xi's hostile conduct is not something he is prepared to bargain away. On the contrary, his actions are the inevitable result of China's communist political system, which idealizes violence, struggle and domination. This system means there can be no accommodation with the Communist Party. The Chinese regime believes the world is its enemy. No enduring understanding, pact, deal or agreement is possible. Gordon G. Chang is the author of Plan Red: China's Project to Destroy America and *The Coming Collapse of China, a Gatestone Institute distinguished senior fellow, and a member of its Advisory Board.
*Follow Gordon G. Chang on X (formerly Twitter)
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But Why Saladin? The West’s Low Standard Bar for Islam
Raymond Ibrahim/The Stream/December 24/2024
We recently discussed the concept of Fake History in the context of Saladin (1137-1193), the Muslim hero who conquered Jerusalem from the Crusaders. We saw how, on the one hand, Westerners have long presented him as a paragon of virtue, moderation, and magnanimity; on the other — and in reality — he was the quintessential “Muslim extremist”: Saladin oppressed and persecuted the Christian minorities under his rule, tarred and destroyed their churches, and did everything that modern “radicals” do. Indeed, the choreographed videos of ISIS members carving off the heads of their victims is straight from Saladin’s playbook. In short, we saw that Saladin is a prime example of the way Fake History is used to obfuscate: If, as many Westerners are led to believe, Saladin was moderate and magnanimous, then clearly ISIS and other “radicals” are the aberration to the religious norm. (Conversely, if you know the truth about Saladin then, ISIS appears rather mainstream for Islam — hence why so much Fake History is promulgated.)
Yet one question remains: Why Saladin? Of all the Muslim sultans that the West could have heroized, why him?
As we shall see, the answer to this question is important above and beyond the person of Saladin, as it reveals the West’s desperate approach of always trying to find the good in Islam.
Baybars the Barbarian
First, the reason Saladin is extolled in the West is simply because he was better than most other Muslims. Although Saladin did engage in “radical” and “extremist” behavior, he also regularly kept his word with the Crusaders and sometimes behaved magnanimously (for example, by allowing old and decrepit Christians to go free without a ransom first being paid). Such behavior is a far cry from that of other Muslim sultans, who regularly broke their word and never showed mercy.
Take Baybars (1223-1277), the Mamluk sultan whom most Muslims see as a second Saladin: both popularized the cause of jihad and scored several important victories against the Crusaders, coming very close to completely ejecting them from the Holy Land.
Not only was Baybars responsible for the greatest atrocity to occur during the Crusades’ two-century-long history in the Holy Land — the sack of the kingdom of Antioch in 1268 — but he gloated over it in a letter to the Christians:
You would have seen your knights prostrated beneath the horses’ hooves, your houses stormed by pillagers and ransacked by looters…your women sold four at a time and bought for a dinar of your [own] money! You would have seen the crosses in your churches smashed, the pages of the false Testaments scattered, the Patriarchs’ tombs overturned. You would have seen your Muslim enemy trampling on the place where you celebrate the mass, cutting the throats of monks, priests, and deacons upon the altars… You would have seen fire running through your palaces, your dead burned… [and] your churches pulled down and destroyed. Like many other sultans — but unlike Saladin — Baybars also regularly employed treachery against the Crusaders. On multiple occasions, after besieging Crusader fortresses he would offer peaceful terms only to renege once the Christians accepted. He did this in 1265 and 1266 when besieging the fortresses of Arsuf and Safad, respectively. In both cases, the defending knights were vastly outnumbered and, in order to save the panicked civilians holed up alongside them, accepted Baybars’s terms of surrender, which included the safe evacuation of the Christian population.
And in both cases, once the Christians emerged, the treacherous sultan double-crossed and had everyone either slaughtered or enslaved. An account of what happened in Safad follows:
The knights accepted [Baybars’s terms] and opened the castle gates, whereupon the sultan offered them a choice of Islam or death. Next morning, when they were paraded outside the walls to give their answer, the castellan stepped forward, begging his brethren not to apostatize. Baybars had him skinned alive and the brethren decapitated, after which he decorated his new possession with their rotting heads.
As for the Christian civilians holed up in Safad, Baybars ordered all 2,000 of them ritually slaughtered. The Templar of Tyre offers more details on this breach of trust:
[Baybars] swore to conduct them in good faith to Acre, safe and secure, so they came out of the castle … [at which point] he had them all seized and conducted some distance from Safad, to a small hillock about half a league away, and there he put them to death, beheaded. Then he had a circular wall erected around them, and their bones and heads may still be seen. Such was the conduct of the Muslim world’s “second Saladin” — the one you probably never heard of (and for obvious reason).
The Bar Is Lying on the Ground
And therein lies the answer to the Saladin riddle: Because he did not behave this way, but rather kept his word with the Crusaders, Saladin has become something of an anomaly in the Western consciousness — a paragon of Muslim virtue, an example of hope for the Muslim world.
In reality, of course, and compared to many a Christian leader, Saladin’s behavior was not all that remarkable. Countless Crusaders and others made — and kept — pacts with Muslims and others, though they are little remembered for it. After all, among Christians, keeping one’s word was expected and a societal norm. But because so many Muslims did not keep their word, behaving more like Baybars than Saladin, the latter, though still “radical,” was catapulted in Christian eyes, becoming something far greater than he really was. Indeed, in the Christian imagination, desperate as it was (and still is) to find Muslims to extol, this same Saladin who ordered the beheading of Christians who would not embrace Islam was eventually seen and presented as a “chivalrous knight.”
Now, consider how this phenomenon is still at work. Western people regularly point to this or that Muslim person or institution as an example of “moderation,” when in reality, their supposed moderation is a matter of degree: by Western standards they are still “radical”; but because they are less radical than, say, ISIS, they have become, for the desperate West, paragons of moderation.
One need look no further than to the Muslim world’s most prestigious institution of learning, Al Azhar in Egypt, and its sheikh, Ahmed al-Tayeb, to see this at work. Although that university and its head have said and promoted much of what ISIS says and does, they have also made some diplomatic overtures — for example, hosting and signing papers about “fraternity” with Pope Francis. Because of this, they are hailed as “moderates.”
In short, the bar has been set so low for Muslims that standard social behavior has become cause for celebration.
*Raymond Ibrahim, author of Defenders of the West and Sword and Scimitar, is the Distinguished Senior Shillman Fellow at the Gatestone Institute and the Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum.

Palestinian Christians facing an existential threat
Chris Doyle/Arab News/December 24, 2024
Every year, at Christmas, much of the world turns its eyes to Bethlehem and the world of two millennia ago. Images of the baby Jesus in a manger surrounded by shepherds and wise men adorn Christian churches across the world.
For the last six decades, this has been completely decontextualized from Bethlehem’s modern-day fate. Few realize the city is Palestinian, let alone illegally occupied. The media often falsely describe it as being part of Israel. By Christmas 2025, that might actually be the case, given the Israeli plans to annex the West Bank. Scant attention is paid to the fate of Palestinians living there or in Palestine as a whole. Many just lazily think all Palestinians are Muslims. Very few think of the Christians in Gaza. It was a small but ancient community of about 1,000 before this war. They, like all Palestinians in Gaza, have now endured almost 15 months of suffering that few can imagine, in what many consider to be a genocide. Many worship in the Church of Saint Porphyrius, one of the oldest churches in the world. For more than a year, it has served as a shelter to both Christians and Muslims.
Much of the church is now in ruins owing to an Israeli bombing on Oct. 19 last year that killed 18 people. The deliberate targeting of religious buildings is a war crime in international law. Many mosques have been bombed as well. The loss of Palestinian cultural heritage in Gaza is massive, though far from the most devastating aspect of Israel’s atrocities. But Palestinian Christians in the West Bank have much to fear too. Bethlehem, a city already cut off from most of its land, faces complete encirclement by illegal Israeli settlements. Israeli ministers have been accelerating settlement expansion under the cover of war. In August, the go-ahead was given for the settlement of Nahal Heletz, next to Battir, a world heritage site to the west of Bethlehem. This new settlement in the Makhrour Valley will connect the Cremisan and Al-Walaja valleys and aims to sever the connection to the Bethlehem area. Christians own 91 percent of this valley. Once completed, Bethlehem will lose one of its last areas for agriculture
Tourism, a major source of income in Bethlehem, has ground to a halt. Previously, the city could expect 1.5 million visitors per year. Local businesses have been forced to close. Bethlehem, a city already cut off from most of its land, faces complete encirclement by illegal Israeli settlements.
The Palestinian presence in Jerusalem, including Christians, is arguably under even greater threat. The proportion of Christians in the city’s population has dwindled from about a quarter at the start of the 20th century to less than 2 percent today.
Ever since this far-right extremist Israeli coalition government took office in December 2022, its fanatical supporters have increasingly targeted Christians in the holy city, pointing to a rise in attacks against Christians. Even priests get pushed. Some Israeli extremists have been chanting, “Death to Arabs, Death to Christians.” Many have been spat on. Graves have been desecrated.
Settler bodies have also targeted the Armenian quarter of the Old City, where a large plot of land is at risk of being seized. Armenians, who have had a presence in the Old City since at least the fourth century, have had to mount a constant watch to protect their sites. All of this is part of a determined strategy to Judaize the entirety of the holy basin of the city. Jerusalem is known as the city of peace, but it is anything but that today. Its times of greatest strength have been when all three major monotheistic faiths have coexisted in harmony. Palestinian Christians, like all Palestinians, deserve our solidarity at this time, when their very existence is threatened. Palestinian Christians outside the city are cut off. Those in Bethlehem largely cannot go to Jerusalem to pray, even at Easter and Christmas. Some have never even been there. For those in Gaza, it is totally impossible right now, and even before the current war it was almost an impossibility. It is easier for me in London to get to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem than those living 10 km away. Palestinian Christians are an integral part of Palestinian society. They, like all Palestinians, deserve our solidarity at this time, when their very existence is threatened.
What is perhaps most extraordinary is the way in which many Christian communities, not least in the US, are totally blind to their suffering and the systemic discrimination they face. Christian Zionists, who number in their millions, back the very Israeli occupation that threatens to eradicate a 2,000-year-old Christian presence in the Holy Land. Yet, even in the ranks of other Christians, the ignorance of the plight of their Palestinian co-religionists is impressive. One could also extend that to those in Lebanon and Syria, who will be marking another tough Christmas. Perhaps, as Christians gather in churches around the world this Christmas, they might spare more than just a passing thought for those that are struggling to keep their faith going in the land where it all began.
Chris Doyle is director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding in London. X: @Doylech

The end is near for armed militias in Iraq
Dalia Al-Aqidi/Arab News/December 24, 2024
Amid shifting regional power dynamics, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a notable visit to Baghdad to engage with the Iraqi leadership on the growing influence of armed militias. This visit underscores the Biden administration’s final attempt to stabilize the region while addressing security concerns that directly affect American forces and allies. During his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, the American official emphasized the importance of curbing the activities of armed militias. Since their formation, these groups have been responsible for a series of attacks on US military personnel stationed in Iraq. The militias have been instrumental in transferring weapons to militants in Syria, which Washington views as a direct threat not only to regional security but also to Iraq’s sovereignty.
The timing of Blinken’s appeal is significant. With Bashar Assad gone and Hezbollah’s recent military defeat, Washington sees an opportunity for Iraq to assert itself. The outgoing administration believes Iraq could act as a stabilizing force in a volatile region, provided its government distances itself from external pressures. While Blinken refrained from publicly naming Iran during his remarks, his focus on militias and weapons smuggling sent a clear message. The US wants Iraq to step up its efforts in preventing those activities and work toward dismantling networks that threaten further regional stability.
For its part, Baghdad finds itself in a precarious position. Al-Sudani has expressed a desire to prioritize Iraq’s national sovereignty and avoid entanglement in broader geopolitical conflicts. However, balancing this vision with the reality of Iranian influence within Iraq — politically, economically, and militarily — remains a formidable challenge. This diplomatic mission comes as Washington seeks to capitalize on the weakening position of the so-called “axis of resistance” in the region. The collapse of Assad’s hold over Syria and Hezbollah’s significant struggles in its conflict with Israel have disrupted Tehran’s regional strategy. Therefore, Blinken’s visit signals an attempt to consolidate these shifts and prevent Tehran from regaining its footing.
The influence of foreign-funded armed militias in Iraq was not the only issue on the table. The American diplomat also pressed the Iraqi government to shut down the Houthi office in Baghdad, which operates under the leadership of Ahmed Al-Sharafi, known as Abu Idris. This office functions as a hub for dozens of Houthi military leaders who collaborate closely with the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades, one of the prominent armed groups supported and funded by Tehran.
Although Iraq officially recognizes Yemen’s internationally recognized government, headquartered in Aden, it has never formally acknowledged the Houthis as legitimate representatives of the Yemeni state. Yet, the Houthi presence in Baghdad extends far beyond any standard diplomatic activity. Their operations, led by Abu Idris, remain focused on security coordination, and strategic alliances with Iran-backed groups, including armed militias and certain social organizations. This cooperation allows the Houthis to maintain a level of influence in Iraq despite their unrecognized status, further embedding themselves in the regional network of nonstate actors. In contrast, Osama Mahdi Ghanem, the Yemeni ambassador representing the internationally recognized government, operates through formal diplomatic channels, primarily liaising with Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
However, the Houthi activities, conducted in parallel to these formal diplomatic efforts, complicate Iraq’s position and raise questions about its ability — or willingness — to control such groups operating within its borders. The rarely noticed existence of the Houthi office in Baghdad serves as a symbolic and practical extension of Tehran’s regional agenda. It provides the Houthis a platform for coordinating military and political strategies, deepening their ties with Iraqi factions, and sustaining their broader influence in the Middle East.
With Bashar Assad gone and Hezbollah’s recent military defeat, Washington sees an opportunity for Iraq to assert itself.
The recent events in Syria bring to mind Iraq’s not-so-distant past as if history is repeating itself. Statues have been torn down, and symbols of authoritarian rule have crumbled under the weight of sweeping change. The fall of Syria’s 61-year Baath regime — built on force, fear, and foreign backing — mirrors what unfolded in Iraq. However, this time, the difference lies in a growing regional consensus to reject armed militias, who have long inflicted suffering and turmoil on the people of the region.
With Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, his new administration will ramp up pressure on the Iraqi government to dismantle the Popular Mobilization Forces and to sideline armed militias operating outside state control. That type of pressure was not merely rhetorical; during Trump’s first presidential term, Washington took concrete steps to weaken the influence of militias, like targeting their weapons depots and dismantling their military headquarters. The message was clear: Armed groups should not have a place in a sovereign Iraq.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework quickly convened a series of meetings centered on concerns that Syria’s scenario might soon play out in Iraq. Key militia leaders participated in these meetings, alarmed by what they perceived as a coordinated plan to dismantle the “axis of resistance.”Iraq urgently needs genuine reforms within its political system, particularly to address the influence of “non-state actors,” groups that exploit state resources while undermining the rule of law and legitimate authority. Reform must begin with one critical step — ensuring all weapons are under the state’s exclusive control. Equally important is holding accountable those responsible for the deaths of thousands of Iraqis, including the young protesters of the October Revolution.
To truly move forward, Iraq must root out financial, administrative, and political corruption once and for all, which requires bold and decisive actions that prioritize transparency and enforce accountability at every level of governance.
The US, regardless of who occupies the White House, will remain committed to a dual mission — supporting Iraq’s stability and sovereignty while working to curb the disruptive influence of armed militias. However, the real challenge lies in whether Iraq can strike this fragile balance — rebuilding its institutions, regaining control, and meeting both domestic and international expectations.
The road ahead is difficult, but the need for reform is clear and pressing.
**Dalia Al-Aqidi is executive director at the American Center for Counter Extremism.

The evolution of global power dynamics
Christopher Phillips/Arab News/December 24, 2024
Superficially, 2024 has not differed greatly from 2023 when it comes to global power dynamics. Many of the key features were already with us, whether the growth of populism in the West, the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine or the rise of middle powers. Yet, even if these trends are not new, the past year has seen them continue to build a momentum that points to a gradual shift toward a multipolar world order and a weakening of the West. The year’s most dramatic development, the election of Donald Trump, looks likely to accelerate this. For, while the new White House could make the US a fiercer international player, it could also weaken the West as a whole.
The wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Lebanon have been damaging for Western states over 2024. In Ukraine, Russia has made slow but steady progress. Despite Kyiv’s audacious Kursk offensive in August and an increased willingness to launch attacks inside Russian territory, the war has gone badly. While the year began with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky still insisting all occupied territory could be recovered, it has ended with a seeming acceptance by his Western allies that a negotiated peace is inevitable. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s call with Vladimir Putin in November was symptomatic of this gradual softening. Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon have presented different challenges. Unlike in Ukraine, where the West’s ally is struggling, Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has had a successful year militarily. Hamas has been crushed, with Oct. 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar killed, while Hezbollah has been decimated, with most of its leadership, including Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, assassinated. Some commentators even argue Israel might be able to use these military successes to reorder the Middle East.
However, the scale of the destruction in Gaza and Lebanon, with more than 45,000 Palestinians and almost 4,000 Lebanese killed, has battered Israel’s international reputation. Unlike with Ukraine, initial Western unity behind Israel has fractured. In May, Norway, Ireland, and Spain officially recognized the state of Palestine in protest at the Gaza war, while France and the UK have sanctioned settlers, with London even symbolically suspending a handful of arms licenses.
The UK, France, Ireland, and Italy have also all indicated they would arrest Netanyahu should he visit following the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. This is in sharp contrast to the US which, despite some criticism, rejects the court and has steadfastly backed Israel. Trump looks set to expand on this, potentially opening up further rifts with Europe. Israel’s wars have also damaged the reputation of Western states in the Global South, as they have continued to arm and support Israel and done too little to rein in Netanyahu. Though Israel ignored the International Court of Justice’s ruling in July that its occupation of the West Bank and Gaza is unlawful, the case, brought by South Africa, pointed to a shift in the global order.
Non-Western states are increasingly willing to use Western-established institutions like the International Court of Justice to highlight what they perceive as Western hypocrisy. Geopolitically, both China and Russia have made much of this in the past year, arguing that they are more reliable partners to the Global South than the hypocritical West. While a ceasefire in Lebanon appears to be holding, the longer the Gaza war continues, the more damage it could do to the integrity of the Western alliance and its global reputation.
Trump might make the US ostensibly more powerful and, in contrast to the Biden years, a more central actor in world affairs.
The Western alliance risks further weakness from the continued popularity of right-wing populism at home. The year 2024 has seen populists triumph in the Austrian elections, enter government in the Netherlands, and come close to power in France. The growth of popular nationalism undermines the principle of collective security and points to a more transactional approach to intra-Western relations.
The Ukraine war is a case in point. Initially, Western states were united behind Kyiv, but increased criticism has been led by populists. Hungary’s Viktor Orban is the most vocal, but the Netherlands’ populist Party for Freedom has also questioned aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Alternative for Germany, which won a state-level election for the first time in 2024 and looks set to do well in the upcoming national elections, has also historically been pro-Russia and critical of Kyiv.
Until now, European unity against Russia has largely held despite the election of populists, either because they have proven less isolationist in power, as with Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, or because they govern smaller states like Hungary. But should Alternative for Germany enter power in 2025, this could seriously impact Europe’s Russia policy.
Already, Europe faces a tricky 2025 due to the incoming Trump administration. If Trump presses ahead with tariffs on allies, it will both damage European economies and further strain US-EU relations, both of which will weaken the Western alliance. Moreover, if Trump insists, as expected, on reducing America’s NATO commitments and on Europeans paying higher defense costs, this will further challenge EU economies. It could also make them more insular, focused on defending Europe rather than projecting power further afield. The net result would be a weaker Western alliance globally.
Beyond Europe, 2024 has been a mixed year for America’s geostrategic rivals. Russia has recovered from some of the isolation it experienced in 2022-23 by embracing non-Western powers, ensuring its isolation is limited to the West rather than being global. Hosting the expanded BRICS conference in October underlined this, with the leaders of China, Turkiye and Egypt, among others, traveling to Kazan to meet Putin.
The expansion of BRICS, which formally welcomed the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia and Iran in 2024, also boosts China, which is keen for the bloc to rival Western-dominated international institutions. But Beijing is somewhat less confident as the year ends, as it faces the twin problems of sluggish growth in its economy and the return of Trump, who has appointed several China hawks to his Cabinet and appears to be gearing up for a trade war. Herein could lie the paradox of Trump’s return for geopolitics. His combative approach, particularly his willingness to use trade as a weapon, understandably concerns both his European allies and his Chinese rivals — even if another foe, Russia, may be hoping he will broker a favorable deal for Moscow in Ukraine. This might make the US ostensibly more powerful and, in contrast to the Biden years, a more central actor in world affairs. But Trump’s transnationalism and a seeming lack of commitment to the Western alliance could leave the West as a whole weaker on the world stage, with it already suffering as a result of geopolitical shifts and the rise of isolationist populism at home.
Moreover, the US today lacks the power to push global actors into an anti-Chinese trading position in the way it might have done during either the Cold War or the post-Cold War era of US dominance. Washington may damage China’s economy, but this is unlikely to seriously limit Beijing’s influence in the Global South and non-Western world. Likewise, other powerful economies like India, South Africa and Brazil, while conscious of not provoking Trump, will not likely bend excessively around him in a way they might have during the 1990s and 2000s.
Trump’s return will therefore likely represent a shift in style rather than a fundamental change in global geopolitics. This year continued the trend toward a weakening West within a multipolar world and 2025, with Trump in the White House, looks set for that to largely continue.
• Christopher Phillips is professor of international relations at Queen Mary University of London and author of “Battleground: Ten Conflicts that Explain the New Middle East.”
X: @cjophillips