On 6 and 8 November, the northern Israeli town of Nahariya was subjected to Katyusha rocket attacks from Southern Lebanon. Three civilians lost their lives and six other were wounded. On 9 November Israeli jets hit PLO bases in the Tyre area destroying installations and killing a large number of terrorists. The attacks were seen as a PLO effort to forestall any peace efforts in the Middle East, either in the form of a Geneva Conference or direct talks. In reply to questions in the Knesset, Defence Minister Weizman, after revealing that in mid-September Israel played a major role in bringing an end to the fighting in southern Lebanon and the establishment of an effective cease-fire, told the House that the cease-fire must be scrupulously observed and that the terrorists must pull back away from the range of the Israeli settlements along the northern border. Text:
Our policy in Southern Lebanon is based on the following principles:
1. Israel has no interest today, and had none in the past, in attacking, occupying or gaining control over any area whatsoever of Lebanese territory. For many long years our northern border has been exemplary as far as proper neighbourly relations are concerned and it is our wish to re-establish such an atmosphere.
2. Israel has given a great deal of assistance to the villagers of Southern Lebanon. The assistance was given in all spheres - medical, economic and military. We shall not abet any cease-fire in Southern Lebanon that would serve to camouflage the killing of these villagers, or the elimination of their leaders and commanders. We shall stand by them to ensure their safety and (peaceful) existence.
3. Israel has never agreed to a border which may be crossed only in one direction and across which it is permitted to shoot in one direction, while the I.D.F. is not permitted to strike back. Any Arab state that plays host to terrorists, permitting them freedom of action against us from bases in its territory, will not be able to shelter behind formalistic arguments. Borders can be respected only on a mutual basis. So long as the terrorists act against us from Southern Lebanon we shall take action against them in any manner that the I.D.F. finds effective.
Last week Nahariya was shaken out of its calm by rocket attacks that resulted in the deaths of three of its residents. From this platform I wish to express the condolences of the government of Israel to the bereaved families. I want to assure you that we are adequately prepared to defend the safety of our citizens. Any repetition of such incidents - and I hope that the lessons of the reaction of last week will avert their recurrence - would lead to an immediate sharp and powerful response.
Six weeks ago Israel played a major role in bringing to an end the fighting in Southern Lebanon. The government of Israel anticipated that the governments of Lebanon and Syria would successfully play their part in imposing an effective cease-fire on the various terrorist organizations. Agreement was reached on a cease-fire, during which period talks were to have been held with representatives of the Lebanese government to make the cease-fire in the South permanent and stable.
Our stand on this matter is absolutely clear:
A. The first - and absolute - condition: It is impossible to conduct negotiations unless the cease-fire is strictly observed. Consequently, at a certain stage, when the shooting incidents were resumed at the initiative of the terrorist organizations, we cancelled a scheduled meeting with the Lebanese representatives. We held no further meetings until the cease-fire was reinstated.
B. Right from the start we consented to, and regarded positively, the descent of Lebanese army troops to the south. We had no doubt that, unless there was a force capable of stationing itself between the adversaries, and of supervising the cease-fire and if necessary of imposing it by force - it would be impossible to maintain calm in the region.
C. Israel insisted that the Lebanese army come south only after completion of the withdrawal to the north of the terrorists from their strongholds.
D. Israel insisted that the terrorists pull back far enough to ensure that her settlements are out of range of their weapons.
E. In the framework of Israel's continuing contacts with the Lebanese, through U.S. mediation, we are trying at this time to reach agreement on an apparatus for supervision and control to ensure implementation of the pullback, as agreed.
To sum up: The government of Israel is prepared to work towards promoting a permanent settlement in Southern Lebanon. From this rostrum once again I call upon our neighbours to the North to cooperate with us in doing everything possible for observation of the cease-fire, ousting of the terrorists and restoration of law and order in the south.
Let us work together to transform the 'Good Fence' into the 'quiet border'.