Withdrawal from Lebanon:
Press Briefing by Foreign Minister David Levy
May 23, 2000
(translated from Hebrew)
Foreign Minister Levy: Good afternoon. As you recall, the
government of Israel decided to withdraw unilaterally from
Lebanon. This decision was unanimous. The government decision was
the result of our recognition that the security zone could not
stop the katyushas that threaten and inflict damage on our
northern settlements. Our continued presence there exacted a
heavy security and political price:
- It endangered the lives of our soldiers and citizens;
- It legitimized attacks against Israel as an occupying force;
- It severely limited the action of our soldiers by the presence
of Hizbullah in the heart of the Lebanese civilian population
and our consequent fear of harming innocent civilians.
- It forced us to accept the rules of the game as dictated by
Syria and Iran, implemented by the Hizbullah and their like;
and
- It resulted in ongoing attrition and the inability to achieve
results.
Faced with this reality, the Israeli government decided to put an
end to this absurd situation. In redeploying along the
international border, we are regaining control of the initiative.
If our security is threatened by anyone - whether directly or
through any organization - we will act in accordance with the
right to national self-defense accorded by international law,
with all this implies with regard to those who help these
organizations to attack and threaten our security. They would all
do well to take note of this change.
Our decision is congruent with UN Security Council Resolution
425. Since the government decision, we have acted in full
coordination with the UN Secretary General and his staff. Today
the Security Council is expected to adopt a decision to despatch
UNIFIL forces to the area. I would like to emphasize again to the
Israeli people and to the entire world that these forces are not
needed to defend Israeli security. We are responsible for our own
security, and our soldiers are capable of repulsing and
overcoming - at any moment - any attempt to harm the security of
our citizens or our interests. It is the desire to ensure peace
and quiet in Lebanon and to prevent violence that prompted us to
cooperate with the United Nations.
In this context, I would like to reiterate the full
responsibility of the Lebanese government to fulfill its
commitments deriving from the Israeli decision, as conveyed to
them by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and by all the important
and responsible elements in the world. We know that Syria has
been warned not to play with fire or to help those who seek to
harm Israel and to create chaos. Israel is interested in
tranquility. Israels want to see a new era in which Lebanon will
be responsible for its sovereignty and for everything that
happens within the country. It is clear that we view the Lebanese
government directly responsible for any threat directed against
us from Lebanon. And if anyone claims that because of its
weakness the Lebanese government will not be able to fulfill this
obligation, he is in effect admitting that someone else is
dictating its behavior, and is therefore directly responsible.
The decision by the Israeli government and the messages conveyed
to the government of Lebanon refer also to guaranteeing the
security of all Lebanese citizens. The Lebanese government is
obliged to prevent acts of vengeance and to ensure that no harm
will come to those who choose to surrender. We do not judge them,
but the Lebanese authorities are well aware of their duty to
guarantee their safety. The Lebanese government is obliged upon
the completion in the coming days of our withdrawal, to send its
forces into southern Lebanon. This is an obligation inherent in
UN Security Council Resolution 425.
With regard to the South Lebanese Army, I would like to
reiterate: Israel did not abandon the SLA and their families. Our
doors are open to them, if they so desire. Regarding those who
choose to stay there, we are working with all elements, including
the UN Secretary General, to ensure their safety, and that no
harm will come to them.
This entire course of action was adopted in order to enable the
Israeli government and the IDF to effectively defend the security
of Israel and its northern residents, who are meeting this
challenge with praiseworthy courage. I know what we all feel when
we see the painful pictures. But we must all now display calm and
self-control.
I know of no unilateral withdrawal that is triumphant.
Territories handed over elsewhere were also cause for passing
jubilation. Israel must look to the future, and the government of
Israel is committed to come to grips with the present in order to
ensure a better future. We will do everything possible on the
political level, and of course also on the military level.
Withdrawal by agreement, as we know, was not possible. There are
those who have said that before withdrawing we should have
inflicted heavy blows. The consequene of such action would have
been for us to remain in Lebanon forever. Following such blows,
katyushas would have been fired to which we could not have stood
idly by, possibly leading to greater and deeper retaliation.
Unilateral withdrawal is a test which calls for shrewd vision and
strong nerves - but also a firm stand that will ensure our
security.
I would like to express our thanks to the residents of the north
for their courageous stance. The government of Israel is doing
its utmost, first of all to ensure their security in the most
effective way, despite what appears at the moment as imminent
danger. The continuation of status quo contained a seed of
violence which was liable to erupt at any time. The people of the
north deserve the support of the entire Israeli people, who must
stand beside them in this difficult hour. They are not defending
themselves; this is a test of the entire nation. There is no
"they" and "we" - we are all together. They stand on the border,
but we all - as a nation, a society, a family, as artists and
doctors, in every field - must today demonstrate our best
qualities as a nation.
I would like to add that we may well be faced in the course of
the withdrawal with mishaps and adversity. If this happens,
Israel will respond firmly and directly against the interests of
those who stand behind these organizations. I would like to hope
that the decision we are implementing today, as a result of the
factors which I have listed, will lead to quiet and tranquility
and that we will finally be witness to a new era, in which there
will no longer be any cause to attack Israel - and anyone who
does so will know what to expect.
I am gratified by the cooperation which Israel is enjoying on all
sides - in Europe, the United States, Russia, Asia, and the
United Nations. Our position is clearly understood, and the
correctness of our course of action is appreciated. True, it
requires both political and military courage. But at the same
time, it is a step that must be taken. We cannot sit by and
record who is to blame and who is not, who is right and who is
not. This would not contribute anything to the firm stance of our
northern citizens; nor would it strengthen our army which is
acting with the courage and calm called for at this stage. I
would like to see us all united at this hour, which entails both
risks but also great prospects. I hope that we will succeed.