Majority of Lebanese favor disarming Hezbollah, support peace talks with Israel – poll

A majority of Lebanese respondents support disarming Hezbollah, according to a new poll published Monday by Lebanese broadcaster Al Jadeed.

The poll, conducted by Information International, found that 58% of respondents favored disarming Hezbollah, while 34% opposed the move. The results highlighted deep sectarian divisions within Lebanese society over the issue.

Support for disarming Hezbollah was strongest among Christian and Druze respondents, reaching 89% among Orthodox Christians, 87% among Maronites, and 77% among Druze. A majority of Sunni Muslim respondents, 70%, also supported disarming the Iranian-backed Shiite militant group. In contrast, 88% of Shiite respondents opposed the measure.

Although Lebanon and Israel do not maintain official diplomatic relations, the poll also found notable support among Lebanese respondents for potential peace negotiations with their southern neighbor.

Support for negotiations with Israel was highest among Druze and Christian communities. According to the survey, 84% of Druze respondents supported peace talks with Israel, along with 77% of Maronites and 72% of Orthodox Christians. Among Sunni Muslims, 52% backed negotiations, while 92% of Shiite respondents opposed a peace agreement with Israel.

The poll further suggested that many Lebanese distinguish between negotiations or a potential peace agreement and full normalization of relations with Israel. While substantial numbers supported dialogue, only 30% of respondents said they favored normalized relations with Israel, compared to 59% who opposed normalization.

Support for normalization was highest among Druze respondents at 79%, followed by 58% among Maronites and 49% among Orthodox Christians. Opposition to normalization remained strongest among Sunni and Shiite Muslim respondents, at 74% and 94% respectively.

The survey also indicated broad Lebanese opposition to the current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Respondents were closely divided, however, over responsibility for the fighting, with 33.8% blaming Hezbollah for the war and 32.9% holding Israel responsible for the ongoing conflict.