Israel’s Reaction to the United Nations Security Council Resolution
How does Israel view Security Council Resolution 1701?
The resolution contains the fundamental elements which the Government of Israel set out to achieve following Hizbullah’s unprovoked cross border attack and bombardment on 12 July. Israel believes that Resolution 1701 has the potential to build a more stable and secure situation, and to prevent Hizbullah from ever again being able to create the sort of regional crisis we have witnessed in the past month. Consequently, the Government of Israel announced on 13 August its decision to accept United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and to act according to its obligations as outlined in the document.
Israel views the resolution as reflecting Israeli interests, and seeks its full implementation, which should lead to a substantive positive change both in the security situation along the Israel-Lebanon border, and in the relationship between the two states. Israel consistently promoted an internationally sanctioned solution which would fulfill the goals as set out by Israel’s Cabinet decision following the 12 July Hizbullah attack on Israeli cities and the abduction of the two soldiers.
It is clear that the international community adopted the Israeli perspective that a solution must be crafted which brings about a full and functional implementation of UNSC Resolution 1559 by the Lebanese government – including the disarming of Hizbullah, and the extension of effective Lebanese sovereignty all the way south to the Israeli border. In short, the world agreed with Israel that the situation in Lebanon could not return to the status quo ante, and that enforcing 1559 is the only solution. Now, Israel expects the international community to take all the concrete steps required in order to bring about the full and effective implementation of this new and promising Resolution.
PM Olmert (Aug 14): “This resolution is a political accomplishment for Israel; however its significance is crucial to all nations of the free world, who struggle against global terror. The entire international community is partner to the perception that the terror state which established itself in Lebanon must be destroyed.”
PM Olmert (Aug 13): “UN Security Council resolution 1701 is a good resolution that creates true conditions to implement UNSCR 1559 and prevent a return to the status quo. Hizbullah won’t continue to be a state-within-a-state inside Lebanon and the Lebanese government will become the point of contact for the Israeli government.”
FM Livni (Aug 15): “Military operations, regardless of duration, could not have produced outcomes. It was necessary to move on and focus on the political phase, which was in motion from the onset of the conflict.”
FM Livni (Aug 13): “The test for the international community will be in the application of Resolution 1701.”
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Behind the Headlines: UN Security Council Resolution 1701
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted on 11 August 2006, contains the essential elements that Israel believes can build a more stable and secure situation and will prevent Hizbullah from ever again being able to create the sort of regional crisis we have witnessed in the past month.
| The preamble of the resolution: | |
| – | Clearly puts the blame for the current crisis on Hizbullah |
| - | Calls for the unconditional release of the Israeli hostages, and |
| - | Calls for the implementation of UNSC 1559 |
| In the operative paragraphs, the resolution: | |
| - | Calls for the cessation of all Hizbullah armed attacks |
| – | Creates a new, strengthened UNIFIL (15,000 troops) |
| – | Gives UNIFIL an improved mandate (to take “all necessary action” to prevent hostile activities of any kind in its area of operations) |
| – | Calls that there be no armed groups, foreign or domestic (i.e. armed Hizbullah militia or Syrian and Iranian military advisors) in Lebanon |
| – | Establishes an embargo of weapons to Lebanese groups other than the government, enforced by UNIFIL (at airports, seaports and border crossings) , and |
| – | Forbids Hizbullah armed elements from returning to southern Lebanon, from the Blue Line to the Litani River. |
| Thus the resolution contains the fundamental elements which Government of Israel set out to achieve following Hizbullah’s unprovoked cross border attack and bombardment on 12 July | |
| – | The return of its hostages |
| – | The removal of the Hizbullah threat to northern Israeli cities, and |
| – | The implementation of UNSC Resolution 1559 calling for Lebanon extend its sovereignty to all its territory, deploy its army south to the Israel-Lebanon border and disarm Hizbullah. |
| Israel expects the international community to take all the concrete steps required in order to bring about the full and effective implementation of the resolution just adopted. | |
SOURCE: Information Department, Israel Foreign Ministry – Jerusalem
Website: http://www.mfa.gov.il; email: feedback@mfa.gov.il
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Israeli media responses to UNSC Resolution 1701:
Aug 17, 2006
Main stories in the Israeli media immediately following the cease-fire and the adoption of UN Resolution 1701 focused on PM Ehud Olmert’s speech to the Knesset Monday night, where Olmert stated that Israel’s main goals were achieved in the war and that Hizbollah terrorists would continue to be pursued. Leader of the Opposition Netanyahu’s speech, however, was in direct contradiction, saying that self-declared aims had not been achieved in the month-long war. Other MKs did not waste any time in ending their war-time self-imposed silence harshly attacking Olmert’s handling of the war, and calling for an internal investigation, which has since come about and will be led by former IDF Chief of Staff, Amnon Lipkin-Shahak.
1. Ha’aretz:
Lebanese soldiers cross Litani River, begin deployment in southern Lebanon
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/751713.html
Peretz: Hezbollah had been IDF’s bottom priority
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/751477.html
Lebanese cabinet won’t force Hezbollah to disarm
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/750942.html
Netanhayu: Governments goals not achieved, Olmert says Israel has dealt Hezbollah a harsh blow
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/750416.html
2. Jerusalem Post:
IDF to withdraw despite plans to leave Hizbullah armed
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1154525888082&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull
Annan to meet families of captives
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1154525887881&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull
Peretz appoints war inquiry committee
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1154525886496&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Politicians take aim at Olmert
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1154525874437&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
3. YNET News:
Livni in UN: Agreement already violated
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3292238,00.html
Assad: We’ll liberate Golan Heights
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3291338,00.html
4. Israeli Channel 1 & 2 interviews with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni