Former South Lebanon Army soldiers living in Israel are intently following reports in the Lebanese media that tens of thousands of prisoners from numerous factions – including the SLA – could be pardoned on condition they had not been convicted for murder, rape or harming national security in the period of time since Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon in 2000.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun's initiative comes ahead of general elections slated to take place in May.
"This time it appears serious," says Rimon Abu Daher, 63, a former SLA soldier who currently resides in the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shemona. Speaking to Israel Hayom, Abu Daher said that for nearly 18 years he has "sat on his suitcases" waiting for such a moment.
"A year after the [Israeli] withdrawal, [Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah allowed SLA soldiers to return to Lebanon, and those who went back were sentenced to anywhere between one and 15 years, sometimes even 17 years in prison; but this time they are talking about pardons," he said. "At the moment there is a lot of arguing in Lebanon over the initiative, but I am praying that words become actions."
Unlike the majority of former SLA soldiers, Abu Daher left his wife and four children behind in Lebanon and came to Israel alone. In 2003 he was involved in a severe car accident and since then has lived on a monthly national insurance stipend on NIS 2,500 ($720).
"All of my children have gotten married in the time I've been in Israel and have become parents themselves," Abu Daher added. "I wasn't at any of their weddings. In that time, five grandchildren were born who I haven't been able to get to know. I'm already 63, what will they do to me? Kill me? So let them kill me. I don't have anything to lose anymore; with my disability allowance here I can barely live in Israel anyway. At least this way I'll be with my family and enjoy my grandchildren."
Amnon Loya, a historian and tour guide who is also involved in rehabilitating former SLA soldiers, explained that in contrast to Abu Daher, the dilemma among many in the SLA community in Israel is far more complex.
"Many former SLA members served 15 to 18 years in Lebanon, they say they won't return to Lebanon because they have no way to make a living there anymore," Loya said.
Meanwhile, the public storm led the SLA Veterans Association and family members on Monday to say on Facebook that they reject the initiative outright.
"We said we don't want pardons. Our country needs to ask us for a pardon," said SLA Veterans Association spokeswoman Julie Abouarraj. "The Lebanese government was the one who abandoned us; it was the one who told us 'turn to Israel.' Israel helped us and since then we have shared a blood bond."
Abouarraj also said that if the pardon initiative ever materializes, she doesn't believe many will return to Lebanon.
"The children of SLA veterans, me included, grew up here and have become Israeli in every way," she said.
