Abonneren
Likoed Nederland
  • Home
  • Publicaties
    • Artikelen
    • Brieven
    • Persberichten
    • Acties
  • Achtergronden
  • Geselecteerd
    • Clips Palestijnse televisie
    • Video’s
    • Uit de pers
    • Historische documenten
    • Nederlandse links
  • De Nederlandse media
    • Ongehoord Palestijns nieuws
    • Dossier: media leugens
    • De Nederlandse media: niet evenwichtig
    • Kennisquiz Midden-Oosten
  • English
    • Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
    • Clips of Palestinian television
    • Video’s
    • Arab Extremism
    • From the Press
    • Historic documents
    • Israeli Government Points of View
    • Likud Policy Statements
    • English links
    • About Likud
  • Over ons
    • Contact
    • Steun ons – support
    • Over Likoed
Geen resultaat
Toon alle resultaten
Likoed Nederland
Geen resultaat
Toon alle resultaten
Likoed Nederland
Geen resultaat
Toon alle resultaten
Home English Israeli Government Points of View

The Israeli withdrawal from Southern Lebanon

24 mei 2000
in Israeli Government Points of View
Reading Time: 5 mins read
Tweet
Share
Pin
Share

May 24, 2000

Communicated by the Israel Foreign Ministry

 

Introduction

On May 24, 2000, the Government of Israel completed the withdrawal of
its forces from southern Lebanon to the international border, in
accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 425. The primary
objective of this action is to ensure the security of Israel and its
citizens, and to promote stability and peace in the region. Israel
has no territorial aspirations in Lebanon, and hopes to see the
Lebanese government restore and exercise its sovereignty and
authority throughout the border region from which Israeli forces have left.

This background paper is meant to provide an overview of the various
aspects of the Israeli withdrawal, the implementation of Resolution
425, and the ramifications for the region.

1. Israel

  • The implementation of Resolution 425 constitutes an
    important step forward, meant to bring about an end to the
    on-going terrorism and confrontation on the northern border,
    and to facilitate further progress in the peace process.
    Israel has reiterated that it remains committed to its goal
    of concluding peace treaties with Syria and Lebanon, and
    will continue in its efforts to achieve this.
  • Following the withdrawal, Israel hopes that peace and
    security will be restored to both sides of the international
    border. Israel further expects that the Government of
    Lebanon will take effective control of southern Lebanon,
    confident that the UN and the international community as a
    whole will undertake an effort to promote this goal.
  • Israel endeavored to carry out the withdrawal and the full
    implementation of Resolution 425 in cooperation with
    Lebanon. However, this option was not available, due to
    pressure brought to bear against Lebanon by external
    parties. Israel then chose to carry out the withdrawal
    unilaterally, rather than allowing its policy to be held
    hostage to the will of these parties.
  • Israel is aware of the intention of various parties to
    continue to wield the ’terrorist weapon’ in Lebanon, even
    after Israel’s withdrawal.
  • If, after the withdrawal, terrorism continues, Israel will
    react forcefully, in keeping with its legitimate and
    internationally recognized right of self-defense. This
    reaction will be directed against both the terrorist
    organizations and those parties which extend aid to these
    organizations.
  • If any party encourages, aids or facilitates terrorism
    against Israel from Lebanon following the withdrawal, Israel
    will view this as a clear act of aggression, and will
    respond in the appropriate manner. Any other country would
    act similarly under such circumstances.

2. The Implementation of 425:

  • Israel has announced that its withdrawal of forces from
    Lebanon has been undertaken in full compliance with UN
    Security Council Resolution 425 (1978).
  • In keeping with Resolution 425, Israel has redeployed its
    forces along the recognized international border between the
    two countries.
  • According to Resolution 425, the UN will take action to
    fill the vacuum that is created following the withdrawal of
    Israeli forces, and will deploy appropriate armed forces
    with the capacity to ensure the return of Lebanon’s
    “effective authority” in the area.
  • Israel expects that, subsequent to its withdrawal from
    Lebanon and the restoration of Lebanese authority, the
    Government of Lebanon will fulfill the remaining obligations
    of Resolution 425, primary among them, the restoration of
    “international peace and security” to both sides of the
    Israel-Lebanon border.
  • As part of its obligations under 425, the Government of
    Lebanon will bear the responsibility for preventing
    terrorist attacks against Israel from within its borders, as
    well as terrorist reprisals against individuals in those
    areas from which Israel has withdrawn. Furthermore, as long
    as other parties maintain presence and control in Lebanon,
    they also bear responsibility for events in the area.

3. Syria

  • Following the stalemate of the Israeli-Syrian peace talks,
    Syria is now conducting a diplomatic campaign to obstruct
    the full implementation of Resolution 425, while continuing
    to view Lebanon as a ‘bargaining chip’ to further Syrian
    interests in its conflict with Israel.
  • Syria has been laying the groundwork for continued attacks
    against Israel even after the withdrawal. To this end, Syria
    has been preparing Palestinian terrorist groups for armed
    operations, and has given free rein to Iran and its
    Hizbullah proxy, to establish and maintain an infrastructure
    meant to undermine stability and bring about escalation and
    violence in the area.
  • Similarly, Syria is pressuring the Lebanese government to
    raise a variety of objections as a pretext to obstruct and
    prevent a successful implementation of 425. An example of
    this would be linking 425 with an implementation of the
    “Right of Return” for Palestinian ‘refugees’ in Lebanon.
  • The Syrian objection to the implementation of Resolution
    425 independently of Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973)
    (claiming that this would violate the ‘unity of the
    negotiating tracks’) is unfounded. Resolution 425 was
    adopted in the limited context of the ‘Litani Operation’ of
    1978, and not as part of the overall settlement of the
    Arab-Israeli conflict, which is to be based upon 242 and
    338. Lebanese Foreign Minister Bouez confirmed this in his
    address to the 1991 Madrid Conference, in which he stated
    that 425 is to be considered a “separate and complete resolution”.

4. Lebanon

  • The implementation of Resolution 425 has been a
    long-standing goal of Lebanese policy.
  • A large segment of the Lebanese public and leadership,
    from all of the country’s various communities, opposes the
    Syrian attempt to subjugate Lebanese national interests to
    the Syrian political agenda.

5. The International Community

  • The Israeli withdrawal is being conducted in full
    coordination with the UN, and constitutes an Israeli
    fulfillment of its obligations under Security Council
    Resolution 425 (1978).
  • With this in mind, Israel has worked closely with the UN,
    coordinating the withdrawal, marking the border and
    determining the character of the future role of the UN
    Interim Force (UNIFIL) which is active in the area.
  • Israel greatly appreciates the actions taken by the UN
    prior to the withdrawal, and is confident that the Security
    Council will act quickly to expand UNIFIL as called for by
    the Secretary General.
  • Israel has also briefed and coordinated its actions with
    world leaders, in order to make clear its intentions
    regarding the withdrawal and its future security options.
  • In discussions held with the highest political echelons in
    the United States, Europe, Russia and Asia, Israel’s
    positions were well received, understood and supported.
  • Israel has made its position clear to all regional actors,
    both directly and through third parties. Today, there should
    be no room for misunderstandings or lack of clarity
    surrounding possible Israeli actions and reactions stemming
    from events in the north.

6. The Population of Southern Lebanon

  • Israel is morally and politically committed to the safety
    and security of the soldiers of the South Lebanon Army (SLA)
    and the civil administration officials who worked alongside
    Israel for many years to protect the southern Lebanese
    population from the encroachment of terrorist organizations.
    This commitment forms an integral part of the Israeli
    government’s March 5 decision to withdraw from Lebanon.
  • In this context, Israel is prepared to absorb any SLA
    soldiers or civil officials who choose to relocate to
    Israel, together with their families.
  • Israel is working closely with elements in the
    international community in order to promote the welfare and
    safety of those who decide to remain in southern Lebanon.
  • The restoration of peace and security to both sides of the
    border requires the Lebanese government to move beyond the
    events of the past, and to reintegrate the soldiers and
    citizens of southern Lebanon into the fabric of Lebanese life.
  • The oft-repeated declarations of Hizbullah leaders,
    stating their intention to ‘execute’ SLA soldiers following
    the withdrawal, are intended primarily to obstruct the full
    implementation of 425. These declarations stand in stark
    contrast to the feelings of the great majority of the
    Lebanese public and leadership which strive for national
    reconciliation after the Israeli withdrawal.

Together with its goal of achieving calm and tranquility along its
northern border, Israel also views this withdrawal as being a
catalyst for the achievement of peace with all of its northern
neighbors.

All parties who are interested in promoting Arab-Israeli
reconciliation must remember that a stable Lebanon is an
indispensable element of a comprehensive Middle East Peace. Lebanon
and Israel desire this peace and the people of the region deserve it.

 

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share

Gerelateerd Artikelen

Qassam in schoolboeken
Artikelen

Palestijnse Autoriteit: failliet of antisemiet?

by Awi
24 mei 2023
0

Opinie-artikel van Likoed Nederland, 25 mei 2023.   Het Europees parlement heeft 10 mei jl. een motie aangenomen dat de...

Lees meer
Habbash apen en varkens

Conflict begrijpen? Palestijnse televisie kijken!

4 mei 2023
Israel Independence Day

De 75e verjaardag van Israël is reden voor feest / Israel at 75 Is Truly Worth Celebrating

28 april 2023
Supreme_Court_of_Israel_20120913

De Israëlische justitiële hervorming uitgelegd

3 april 2023
arab rights

Terreur en antisemitisme onderbelicht in klachten over Op1

30 januari 2023
apartheid islamitische majoor Ella Waweya (foto IDF)

NPO-Ombudsman bekritiseerde Apartheid beschuldiging al eerder

11 januari 2023
Volgend Artikel

Palestinian reactions to Israel's exit from Lebanon

Arafat's parallel universe

  • Over Likoed
  • Steun ons
  • Contact

© 1997 - 2022 Overname van artikelen is toegestaan en wordt zelfs zeer op prijs gesteld, onder voorwaarde van bronvermelding en een link naar het originele artikel op likoed.nl.

Geen resultaat
Toon alle resultaten
  • Home
  • Publicaties
    • Artikelen
    • Brieven
    • Persberichten
    • Acties
  • Achtergronden
  • Geselecteerd
    • Clips Palestijnse televisie
    • Video’s
    • Uit de pers
    • Historische documenten
    • Nederlandse links
  • De Nederlandse media
    • Ongehoord Palestijns nieuws
    • Dossier: media leugens
    • De Nederlandse media: niet evenwichtig
    • Kennisquiz Midden-Oosten
  • English
    • Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
    • Clips of Palestinian television
    • Video’s
    • Arab Extremism
    • From the Press
    • Historic documents
    • Israeli Government Points of View
    • Likud Policy Statements
    • English links
    • About Likud
  • Over ons
    • Contact
    • Steun ons – support
    • Over Likoed

© 1997 - 2022 Overname van artikelen is toegestaan en wordt zelfs zeer op prijs gesteld, onder voorwaarde van bronvermelding en een link naar het originele artikel op likoed.nl.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In