Lebanese Christian Villages Reject Netanyahu’s Claim of Seeking Israeli Annexation

Christian-majority villages along Lebanon’s southern border have rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that they sought to join Israel, saying the remarks were false and did not reflect the views of local residents. Community leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Lebanon and described the comments as disconnected from reality.

Mayors, clergy members, and local representatives from border villages said residents remain committed to their Lebanese identity and consider the Lebanese state the only legitimate authority. They said the statements risk creating divisions at a time when communities are facing continued tensions and humanitarian challenges.

The response followed Netanyahu’s claim in a televised interview that some Christian villages in southern Lebanon had requested annexation by Israel for protection from Hezbollah. In a joint statement, representatives of Christian border municipalities rejected the claim and said it did not represent the position of their communities.