WeeklySA_AdminMULTI-FRONT WAR: Hezbollah calls on the pontiff to reject “Israel’s unjust aggression on Lebanon”, and blames the “international system” for its inaction to stop their neighbour’s attacks…
By Aseel Saleh
The head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican city Pope Leo XIV just wrapped up a three-day visit to Lebanon which began on Sunday, November 30.
The visit marks the pontiff’s first foreign trip since he was elected in May, and comes amid an unprecedented unrest across West Asia caused by Israel’s multi-front war that began in October 7 2023, and has continued to escalate ever since.
Prior to his arrival in Lebanon, the Pope told reporters that the Vatican has for many years endorsed the two-state solution, which Israel does not accept, as the only solution for the Arab-Israeli conflict.
“Blessed are the peacemakers,” says Pope Leo
On the first day of his Apolistic Journey in Lebanon, whose politics has for decades been characterized by sectarian division, Pope Leo emphasized the importance of peace not simply as “an aspiration, but a daily necessity rooted in the country’s complex social fabric and ongoing challenges.”
He also underlined dialogue as “the path that leads to reconciliation”, even amid disagreement.
“You are invested with authority in this country, each in your own area and with specific roles. It is in light of this authority that I wish to address to you the words of Jesus that have been chosen as the central theme of my journey: Blessed are the peacemakers!”
The Pope said during a meeting with representatives from the Lebanese authorities, civil society, and diplomatic corps on Sunday.
Praising the resilience of the Lebanese people, who “do not give up” while confronting hardships, Pope Leo stated:
“In addition to Lebanon’s natural beauty and cultural riches, which have been praised by those of my predecessors who visited your country, there is a shining quality that distinguishes the Lebanese: you are a people who do not give up, but in the face of trials, always know how to rise again with courage. Your resilience is an essential characteristic of authentic peacemakers, for the work of peace is indeed a continuous starting anew.”
On the second day of his visit, the head of the Catholic Church met with Christian and inter-religious leaders at Martyr’s Square in Beirut.
During the meeting, the Pope reiterated the church’s will to establish dialogue with followers of other religions, in order to achieve peace.
“May every bell toll, every adhān, every call to prayer blend into a single, soaring hymn – not only to glorify the merciful Creator of heaven and earth, but also to lift a heartfelt prayer for the divine gift of peace,” Pope Leo asserted.
The pontiff calls for peace in West Asia, Venezuela During his departure flight, the pontiff urged US President Donald Trump on December 2 not to wage a war on Venezuela to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro.
Pope Leo also revealed that he has been involved in talks with Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt violence and seek solutions in the West Asia region.
Hezbollah calls on “Pope Leo to reject unjust Israeli aggression on Lebanon”
Hezbollah published a letter on November 29, welcoming Pope Leo, and urging him to denounce the non-stop Israeli aggression on Lebanon.
The Lebanese resistance group also stressed that the ongoing tragedy in Gaza is a result of “the Zionist occupiers’ persistent usurpation of the Palestinian people’s rights.”
It further blamed the “international system” for refusing “to adopt the standards of justice and right in finding a solution to the ongoing conflict” in the West Asia region “between the rightful owners of the land and the usurping occupier.”
Hezbollah affirmed that the Lebanese people have endured the same suffering because Israel occupies parts of their land, while it continues to launch attacks against them and threatens their security and stability in their country.
“Undoubtedly, the Zionist occupation enjoys – unfortunately – unlimited support from major powers that share its tendency toward domination and covetousness of our country’s and region’s interests, with utter disregard for the rights of our people and the peoples of the region,” the group said.
“What the Israeli enemy has done in Gaza against the Palestinian people is a clear act of genocide,” and “what it is doing in Lebanon is a blatant and unacceptable act of aggression,” Hezbollah added.
A renewed Israeli aerial assault that targeted different areas of southern Lebanon coincided with the arrival of the pontiff in the Arab country, and continued throughout his visit.
These attacks have once again proved Israel’s indifference and lack of compliance to peace endeavours, and international norms.
Almost one year after the ceasefire deal between Hezbollah and Israel took effect, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) has continued to launch deadly airstrikes across Lebanon, with a considerable escalation of attacks on November 10.
It is worth noting that Israel has reportedly violated the ceasefire deal 5,163 times, killing at least 309 people in Lebanon since November 27 last year, when the truce came into force.
While Israel has spared no opportunity to sabotage the ceasefire deal, the US-aligned Lebanese state has insisted on showing its allegiance to the Trump administration by repeatedly entreating peace with the Israeli government.
On Monday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun asserted that being engaged in negotiations with Israel is “the only way” to achieve his country’s “national goals”. He was speaking in a joint press conference with his Bulgarian counterpart, Rumen Radev, at the Bulgarian Presidential Palace in Sofia on Monday.
“Our army’s mission is crucial in these circumstances, because it alone, and I reiterate, alone, without any partner, neither from outside the state nor from outside Lebanon, must extend the authority of our state over all of its territories and borders, and impose its full sovereignty, where the Israeli attacks on our land cease, and Israel withdraws from the points it still occupies inside Lebanon. This should be accompanied by a negotiations course, which we consider as the only way to achieve our national goals and the supreme interest of Lebanon,” Aoun stated. – People’s Despatch
Comment
PROTECT THE JUDICIARY
South Africa’s judicial system is under unprecedented threat as criminal syndicates attempt to capture key institutions to secure impunity for their unlawful activities.
Just days after a Pretoria High Court judge was arrested for allegedly accepting a R2 million bribe from a leader of a faction within the International Pentecostal Holiness Church—reportedly in a bid to sway a ruling in a long-running church dispute—serious new allegations have emerged of a plot to assassinate key State role players in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial.
Last week, three individuals were dramatically removed from court by uniformed police officers amid claims that they were part of a group planning to eliminate the presiding judge, Ratha Mokgoatlheng, as well as members of the prosecuting team, including the lead prosecutor and certain investigating officers. Proceedings were adjourned to the next day after allegations surfaced that some members of the defence team may have been complicit in this brazen conspiracy.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the men were questioned and profiled, although no arrests were made at the time. She further confirmed the registration of a case of conspiracy to commit murder, following concrete intelligence that individuals attending the trial intended to target State officials.
Almost simultaneously, further drama unfolded outside the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court when police arrested two bodyguards of multi-murder accused Katiso “KT” Molefe. The men were allegedly found in possession of two semi-automatic AKM rifles and ammunition without permits, travelling in a vehicle fitted with fake number plates and a fraudulent licence disc. The vehicle was confiscated, yet police have not explained why such heavy weaponry was being transported to court.
As police intensify operations against criminal syndicates and clamp down on key underworld figures, these threats to senior judicial and law-enforcement officials must be taken seriously. These criminal networks have long sought to infiltrate and compromise the justice system by bribing officials with vast sums of money—seeking to evade accountability and continue operating in the shadows.
The murder of former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa in 2014 has already placed immense emotional strain on his family, who have been searching for answers for more than a decade. Closure can only be achieved through a fair, transparent trial that uncovers the truth about who killed Meyiwa and why. It cannot be achieved through intimidation, corruption or the silencing of those tasked with uncovering the facts.
Killing the messengers will not resolve this tragedy. It will only deepen it. Protecting the judiciary is essential if South Africa is to uphold the rule of law, safeguard justice, and honour the memory of Meyiwa—while protecting the officials who work tirelessly to ensure accountability.
