“Define Your Leverage for Us!”

Arab futures studies scholar Walid Abdel Hay addressed an appeal to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun via his Facebook page, criticizing what he described as the authority’s increasingly concessionary approach in the direct negotiations file with Israel.

Abdel Hay argued that Israel’s strategic vision is built upon the principle of “subordinating the security of others to serve its own security.” Consequently, he warned that Israel would not grant Lebanon any meaningful concessions unless it first secured long-term control over Lebanon’s security environment.

Addressing the Lebanese president directly, he posed a central question:

“What leverage do you possess to compel Israel to fully withdraw, return the prisoners, and allow displaced persons to return? You have neither horses to offer nor wealth to bargain with. You possess no military leverage. Therefore, tell us: what are your instruments of pressure?”