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PM Ehud Olmert (AP file photo)
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| By Jonathan Ariel August 11, 2006 |
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Premier Ehud Olmert appears on the verge of being the first Israeli leader ever to concede defeat in a war, and surrender to an enemy's demands.
He has indicated he is willing to accept a new French-sponsored UN resolution that calls for a ceasefire, to be followed by a French-led international force which will act in coordination with UNIFIL and the Lebanese army in occupying southern Lebanon.
According to the draft of the resolution, the implementation of UN resolution 1559 (the disbanding of Hezbollah?s armed forces) would be postponed to a later date. Israeli forces would be allowed to remain in Lebanon until the proposed international force -- which would have Chapter 7 enforcement powers -- has been deployed. Hezbollah would be prohibited from firing rockets at Israel, but would retain the right to confront IDF forces on Lebanese soil.
This means that after a month of bloody battles, military and civilian casualties and major economic damage, Israel would have achieved nothing. No return of kidnapped soldiers, no disarmament of Hezbollah, and the continued presence of UNIFIL, which has a proven track record of cooperating with Hezbollah against Israel.
The presence of French troops in between IDF forces and Hezbollah is not only likely to be obstructive and ineffectual. Even worse, it poses a significant risk of clashes between IDF and French or UNIFIL forces. If Israel were to engage the UN-backed forces, intentionally or accidentally, it would in effect and, in law, be attacking the United Nations and in violation of its Charter.
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