Lebanese Parliament Speaker Berri rejects calls to repeal law boycotting Israel

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Wednesday that any attempt to repeal Lebanon’s 1955 law boycotting Israel would fail in parliament, rejecting growing pressure to amend the legislation.

In remarks to the press, Berri challenged supporters of repealing the law to submit a formal legislative proposal, making clear his opposition to any move to abolish the boycott.

“I am eagerly awaiting for someone to put forward a legislative proposal on this matter,” Berri said.

His comments came amid reported US efforts to raise the issue with Lebanese lawmakers.

According to the report, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa has discussed the possibility of repealing the boycott legislation during meetings with members of parliament.

Some Lebanese expatriate groups have also reportedly sent letters to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging Washington to make financial and military assistance to Lebanon conditional on amending the law.

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Berri’s remarks signal strong parliamentary opposition to efforts aimed at changing Lebanon’s longstanding legal restrictions on dealings with Israel.

The boycott law, enacted in 1955, forms part of Lebanon’s legal framework prohibiting commercial and other dealings with Israel in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

In separate remarks, Berri warned against escalating domestic political divisions and sectarian tensions, urging Lebanese political factions to prioritize stability amid the country’s ongoing challenges.

He cautioned that deepening internal disputes could further undermine Lebanon’s fragile political and security situation.

The debate over the boycott legislation comes amid broader US diplomatic efforts concerning Lebanon’s relationship with Israel and ongoing political and security discussions over the future of the Lebanese-Israeli border.

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