Lebanese Druze leader slammed after praising the late Uri Avnery

Joumblatt tweeted that Avnery's passing is "a great loss for the cause of peace." He also called Avnery "a fighter for the two-state solution".

By YASSER OKBI/MAARIV

AUGUST 21, 2018 18:32

Updated: AUGUST 21, 2018 18:59

Uri Avnery, Israeli writer and founder of the Gush Shalom peace movement, speaks during a interview with AFP at his home in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on July 26, 2011 (photo credit: AFP PHOTO) — Uri Avnery, Israeli writer and founder of the Gush Shalom peace movement, speaks during a interview with AFP at his home in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on July 26, 2011

(photo credit: AFP PHOTO)

Lebanese politician and Druze leader Walid Joumblatt was slammed online on Tuesday after praising the late Israeli journalist, politician and peace-activist Uri Avnery who passed away Sunday night.

Joumblatt tweeted that Avnery's passing is "a great loss for the cause of peace". He also called Avnery "a fighter for the two-state solution" and stated that the two exchanged thoughts that he would like to publish at some point. "May God have mercy on Uri Avnery," he wrote.

Lebanese web users slammed the 69-year-old politician, now serving as chairman of the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party, claiming he is guilty of "treason and normalization of relations [with Israel]."

"It saddens me that for Joumblatt, Syria is the enemy and the exchange of thoughts is done with Israel," one user wrote.

Another blamed Joumblatt of levity, claiming he pays little attention to "the sacrifice and high cost paid by the people of Lebanon because of Israeli aggression and occupation."

Israel invaded southern Lebanon in 1982 and the IDF created and maintained an Israeli security zone in southern Lebanon until 2000, when Israel withdrew its forces.

When Hezbollah abducted two Israeli soldiers in 2006 Israel retaliated and Lebanese infrastructure was severely damaged during the military operation.

One of the commenters wrote an Arab proverb, "If you feel no shame, then do as you wish."

Other users spoke up in defense of Joumblatt and the late Israeli peace activist.

"You all should learn and read well: Joumblatt is the closest person to the Palestinian cause," one user wrote. "He is talking about peace activist Uri Avnery, the fist Israeli reporter to publicly meet Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in 1982, and was against the policy taken by Israel."

Other users stated that tweeting is not a crime and that Joumblatt is simply expressing his opinions.

Translated by Hagay Hacohen.