Statement by Ambassador Gad Yaacobi,
Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations,
in the UN Security Council
15 April 1996
Mr. President,
While most of the leaders of the Middle East were meeting last month at
the Summit of the Peacemakers at Sharm al-Sheikh to pledge their support
for combatting terrorism, Hizbullah terrorists were carrying out attacks
on Israelis.
Since February 1, eight Israelis have been killed and twenty-nine more
have been wounded by Hizbullah Islamic fundamentalist terrorists. Last
week, thirty-six more Israeli civilians were injured in several waves of
Katyusha rocket attacks fired by the Hizbullah into northern Israel.
Several of the speakers here have already described Israel's actions as if
there were no murderous Hizbullah provocations against Israel and Israeli
citizens. Such a description is bogus and deceitful. The truth is, after a
long period of restraint and the exhaustion of all political and
diplomatic means, the Israel Defense Forces is hitting back at Hizbullah
strongholds with air, sea, and artillery strikes.
Israel's primary obligation is to protect the security of all of its
citizens. We will not allow our civilian population centers to be held
hostage by Hizbullah. The Lebanese government does not have the ability
or the will to control Hizbullah activities. Therefore, Israel must
defend the security of its north by all necessary measures.
Israel has no territorial claim on Lebanon. And has no intention of
entering into battles with either the Syrian or the Lebanese armies. But
we have the right and obligation to defend our people.
The Lebanese government was told time and again: control the Hizbullah. If
you are, as you claim, the sovereign government of Lebanon, then this is
your obligation. It is interesting that the Lebanese government disarmed
all of the militias which had operated within its territory, but never
Hizbullah.
The Syrian government was told time and again: you control large portions
of territory in Lebanon. Use your influence to stop the terrorists.
Israel has waited for the governments to respond, and gave ample time for
diplomatic efforts, but to no avail. Hizbullah continued to carry out
attacks against Israel with impunity. Now unfortunately, the time has come
to take action ourselves.
Who among you would agree to the existence of an armed militia operating
from within your territory, beyond the scope of your government's
authority, carrying out attacks against other states?
Who among you would allow your citizens to be attacked and killed by
terrorists?
Who among you would choose not to exercise the right of self-defense?
Mr. President,
Today, there are two trends emerging in the Middle East: one which seeks a
peaceful resolution to the conflict, and another, inspired and supported
by Iran, which is trying to kill the prospects for peace.
While peacemakers meet and sign treaties and create a new reality, the
Hizbullah, the Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and their Iranian master seek to
pull us back to the old Middle East where violence and bloodshed were the
order of the day.
Make no mistake. The stated goal of the Hizbullah is not the removal of
Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, but the destruction of Israel. Last
month, Hizbullah Vice Chairman Naeem Kassem stated, "We oppose and will
continue to oppose the Zionist entity...Israel has no reason to exist."
Hizbullah annually receives $70 million in financial aid from Iran.
Hizbullah terrorists are trained in Iranian military installations and
"Iranian Revolutionary Guards" are in Lebanon. I hope that the members of
the Security Council will not ignore this outrageous situation.
Mr. President,
Allow me to quote from the decisions reached in this week's cabinet
meeting as articulated by Israel's Prime Minister Shimon Peres.
"A. Hizbullah has broken all previous understandings achieved in the wake
of 'Operation Accountability' in 1993, and has deliberately created this
escalation. The United States, which brokered the understandings between
us, has established that the Hizbullah has not been honoring its
commitments.
B. Israel will not permit Hizbullah to conceal itself among the civilian
population. We will not permit the launching of Katyusha rockets from
within Lebanese villages into northern Israel.
C. Hizbullah terrorists and facilities in Lebanon, including those in
Beirut, will not enjoy immunity.
D. If civilian facilities in Israel are hit, there will be no immunity from
strikes on corresponding facilities in Lebanon.
E. If the Hizbullah ceases its attacks, on a permanent basis, Israel will
cease too.
F. The Government of Israel will not accept the freedom which the Lebanese
government grants to terrorist groups to operate from its territory
without interference."
I would like to reiterate to you, the members of the Security Council:
please understand that Israel has no interest or intention of the
escalation into a war, but we are forced to act in order to defend our
people. As a sovereign and democratic state we are committed to achieving
peace and security. Our security must be insured in order to enhance the
peace process.
Operations are being conducted solely against Hizbullah terrorist targets.
But Hizbullah positions are situated throughout Lebanon, and are usually
located in the midst of civilian population centers.
Unfortunately, innocent civilians, on both sides of the border, are
suffering as a result of this confrontation. For this we are sorry. But
this escalation was initiated by the murderous acts of the Hizbullah. We
hope that this unnecessary suffering will soon be over, permanently. It
must be based on the understanding that all parties are committed to
maintaining peace and security for all people in the area. This is our
intention. This is our hope.
We call upon you to understand and support this policy.
Thank you, Mr. President.