Mideast situation/Lebanon – Letter from Israel

 LETTER DATED 6 MARCH 1985 FROM THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE

OF ISRAEL TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

My Government utterly rejects the false assertions contained in the letter of 4 March 1985 (A/40/158-S/16997) addressed to you by the Permanent Representative of Lebanon.

(1) Israel had no involvement whatsoever in the explosion near the mosque in Maarakah. IDF units were not even in the village at the time of the incident. It appears that this explosion took place when terrorists mishandled the triggering device and caused it to detonate. Similar explosions have occurred elsewhere in Lebanon, both recently and over many years.

(2) In no way did IDF units prevent ambulances and other emergency vehicles from entering the hospital referred to in document A/40/158-S/16997.  In fact, the contrary is true. The IDF cleared a path to the hospital and assured access to it by dispersing a violent demonstration in front of the hospital. The IDF also apprehended some of the demonstrators who fled inside without disrupting the normal routine of the patients or doctors. The hospital itself was not damaged in any way.

Contrary to the allegations in the recent Lebanese letters, Israel has acted responsibly and forthrightly to prevent further terrorism in South Lebanon. The IDF uncovered large caches of weapons and explosives intended for use against, among others, IDF forces. Here is a partial list of what was found in recent :  13 hand-held LAW missiles; 5 Strella surface-to-air missiles; 15 land mine and side-charges; 86 machine guns; 85 demolition block explosives; 150 kilograms of high explosives (TNT); 199 hand grenades; dozens of Kalachnikov rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

This is an arsenal large enough to equip a sizeable military unit. It would have been used to attack not only Israel and Israel's forces. Many Lebanese Civilians in the south would undoubtedly have been killed as well.

The Government of Lebanon seems to have chosen to attack Israel for defending its own forces as they leave Lebanon. It has further fallen into the habit of blaming Israel for every outbreak of internal violence, violence which has nothing to do with Israel but which reflects the inability of the Lebanese Government itself to enforce law and order.

I would he grateful if you would have this letter circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Benjamin NETANYAHU

Ambassador

Permanent Representative