A Victory for Israel in the UN Security Council
The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley (center), who, since her appointment as the US Ambassador to the UN became a devoted advocat of Israel’s interests at the international institution, is seen on her recent visit to Israel, alongside Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon (left), and IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Deputy Chief of Staff, Aviv Kochavi (right). Ambassador Danon has guided Ambassador Haley during a grand tour of Israel, on land and in air. Photo: Shlomi Amsalem
By Staff Writer
Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, stated this week: "UNIFIL must take appropriate action in response to Hezbollah's violations of Resolution 1701." UNIFIL, the United Nations peacekeeping force stationed in southern Lebanon, is responsible for preventing terrorist activity in that region. Yet, in recent years, as UNIFIL has not fulfilled its mandate, the Security Council passed a resolution calling on UNIFIL to take more decisive action against Hezbollah.
On Wednesday, August 30, Ambassador Danon welcomed the adoption of a new Security Council resolution regarding UNIFIL's mandate. According to the decision made upon the annual renewal of this mandate, UNIFIL is now required to expand its reports to the Security Council and take deliberate action against Hezbollah's violations. UNIFIL's presence on the ground will increase significantly, and troops will be required to tour the Hezbollah-controlled areas of southern Lebanon. UNIFIL must also report all instances of Hezbollah's violations and attempts to deny access immediately. Ambassador Danon commented, "This is a significant diplomatic achievement that could change the situation in southern Lebanon and expose the terror infrastructure that Hezbollah set up on the border with Israel." He continued, "The resolution requires UNIFIL to open its eyes, and forces it to act against Hezbollah's terror buildup in the area. We will continue the fight against Hezbollah and ensure that UNIFIL fulfills its duties on the ground.”
The Security Council's decision includes two main elements: higher presence of forces on the ground and reliable and timely reporting. Until now, and especially in the last few years, UNIFIL forces have rarely patrolled the area in southern Lebanon, refrained from entering villages widely agreed to be Hezbollah terrorist strongholds, and failed to report Hezbollah's violations in real time. As such, from now on, UN forces will be required to demonstrate a robust physical presence on the ground, to enter every village and to report, in real time, Hezbollah's violations of Security Council Resolution 1701. In addition, this landmark decision will dissolve Hezbollah's longstanding attempt to be seen as a legitimate organization within the international arena.
The approval of this decision comes after many months of intense diplomatic activity by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN, led by Ambassador Danon. This past June, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley visited the Lebanese border and was briefed on UNIFIL's limited operations and the arming of Hezbollah by Ambassador Danon and Deputy Chief of Staff of the IDF, Aviv Kochavi. Since the visit, Ambassadors Haley and Danon have insisted on changing the mandate to the other members of the Security Council. As part of these efforts, Israel revealed classified materials to representatives of the various member states, and senior IDF intelligence officials delivered security briefings to UN ambassadors per Ambassador Danon's request.
“I thank the United States for leading this important effort, and for standing up for Israel's security interests,” said Ambassador Danon. "I also thank France for facilitating the negotiations along with the passing of the resolution. The United Nations Secretary-General and Security Council members have made the right decision to serve the most fundamental principle of the United Nations: combating terrorism and maintaining stability and tranquility,” Ambassador Danon concluded.
