In some Lebanese talk shows, peace with Israel is no longer a taboo subject

On April 16, journalist and television presenter Marcel Ghanem opened his weekly political program, “Sar El-Waqt” (“It’s Time”), broadcasted on the local channel Murr Television (MTV), with an introductory statement about the direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon aimed at ending the war against Hezbollah.

“Anyone who aspires to peace is not a criminal. The real criminal is the one who seeks war. [⋯] We seek peace between the legitimate state of Lebanon and the neighboring state on the other side of the border, a state that cannot be erased or defeated: Israel.”

A few days later, on another debate program on the same channel, a participant called for the opening of an Israeli embassy in Beirut.

Talking about Israel as a state, or even peace with the Jewish state, is no longer a taboo subject in political talk shows highly watched in Lebanon, notes the Israeli newspaper Ha’Aretz. This reflects the polarization in Lebanese society towards Hezbollah (MTV channel is clearly hostile to the group) and the freedom of expression in the country, possibly the most significant in the region.

The culture of “sobhiyyeh”

In Lebanon, there is a willingness to talk about everything, challenge the limits of public debate, and shake them up, says Maryam Younnes, a Lebanese communication expert living in Israel and quoted by the Israeli newspaper.

Even though Ha’Aretz tempers it, it remains “very unusual” for a Lebanese journalist like Marcel Ghanem to express this kind of position. The peace issue with Israel “was taboo until recently,” the expert notes, and Hezbollah “is still present.” But when a personality like Marcel Ghanem, considered the pope of political talk shows in Lebanon, addresses a subject, it means that the topic is legitimate and important.

These televised talk shows are among the most popular and watched programs in the country. “Lebanese culture is deeply social, and Lebanese people like to come together to discuss current events,” explains the expert, referring to the tradition of “sobhiyyeh” – “morning,” in Arabic – a typically Lebanese social ritual focused on conversation and discussion of daily events. “Naturally, this spirit is also found in television programs.”

Direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are set to take place on May 14 and 15 in Washington, under American mediation, in an attempt to preserve the ceasefire theoretically in place since April 17 between the Israeli state and Hezbollah, who exchange daily fire.