Israel cannot afford a war of attrition in southern Lebanon without any diplomatic solution in sight. Therefore, the framework agreement signed with strong US support isolates Hezbollah and allows for an IDF presence in a temporary security zone along the entire border. Unlike the declaration of intent signed with Iran without Israel's participation, this new agreement is a significant step toward a peace process with our northern neighbor.
We warmly commend the diplomatic efforts and determination of the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and the wisdom of the Israeli team led by Ambassador Yehiel Leiter.
Lebanon now officially recognizes the existence of the Jewish state within secure borders, aspires to peace, and desires normal bilateral relations.
On the other hand, Israel clearly approves that Lebanon is a sovereign state, responsible for its territory and its security.
Therefore, Iran should no longer interfere in Lebanon's affairs and should no longer support its Shiite militia.
However, how can we guarantee that Hezbollah will not plunge the Lebanese people into civil war? Hasn't the Shiite militia already violated previous UN resolutions, including Resolution 1701 signed in 2006 after the Second Lebanon War?
Of course, the major difficulty remains the absence of a Lebanese authority capable of assuming the implementation of any agreement with Israel and an army incapable of controlling the country without international support.
We appreciate the courage of President Joseph Aoun and his Prime Minister, Nawaf Sayad, but already voices are being raised to denounce the agreement and are conditioning its implementation on a prior withdrawal of the IDF. Faced with Iran's efforts to sabotage any diplomatic approach with Israel, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and France should isolate the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, who is close to Hezbollah, and influence the Druze leader, Walid Jumblatt, to support the agreement, as desired by the Druze community in Israel and Syria. These two veteran Lebanese political leaders bear a large share of the responsibility for the current chaotic situation.
To ensure the safety of all Israeli citizens along the border and guarantee the agreement, the Lebanese government will need to obtain all necessary resources from the United States, as well as strong support from Arab countries, European countries, and France in particular. This is indeed the rationale behind this new diplomatic roadmap.
Israel's goal was not to conquer Beirut and change the regime by force of arms, but to expel Hezbollah and Iran from Lebanon. We attempted in 1982, during the First Lebanon War, to install the Christian Phalanges in power. This was a resounding failure, as Hezbollah took over and has held sway ever since. Let us not repeat the same mistakes.
There are no shortcuts on the diplomatic path. Every negotiation is arduous and often fraught with obstacles. Of course, we should be firm and uncompromising on security issues, but also generous in order to finally achieve a lasting peace.
The Lebanese are very tired of wars and they deserve to live in dignity and in coexistence with their Israeli neighbors.
Israel has no territorial claims in Lebanon, and sooner or later the IDF forces will withdraw. However, we are currently in a position of strength, and the time is ripe to dictate the course of action and guarantee stability in the north of the country for many years to come.
A US-guaranteed agreement will prevent a long-term presence of our soldiers in the Lebanese quagmire, with all its consequences and repercussions for the whole of Israeli society. The key is to seize every opportunity and leverage and intervene swiftly in the event of a violation.
To defend our security, we should demand guarantees from the Trump administration before potentially intensifying ground operations and airstrikes beyond the buffer zone. This is similar to what the Americans are currently doing in their response to Iranian violations in the Persian Gulf and against the United Arab Emirates.
Netanyahu will have to act with good intentions and not take advantage of the election campaign to strengthen his party and its activists and promise the moon and the stars to all the residents settled along the border.
This framework agreement is not perfect and is complicated to implement under current conditions, but it is clear and coherent. The Israeli majority will have to support it.
Without indulging in illusions, and with nerves of steel and an iron will, we could accomplish this noble mission for peace with the United States.
