Dr. Aaron Lerner is co-founder of IMRA, Independent Media Review and Analysis, an Israel-based news organization which provides an extensive digest of media, polls and significant interviews and events relating to the Israeli-Arab conflict. imra@netvision.net.il
Thinking beyond a cease-fire declaration
By Dr. Aaron Lerner
August 11, 2006
Regardless of when a cease-fire goes into effect, it would be wise for Israeli policy makers to give serious thought already to the serious policy questions and challenges a cease-fire will present.
It can be expected that Lebanon's airspace will be officially off limits to Israeli surveillance. How then will Israel be able to not only monitor Hezbollah activity after the cease-fire but also use this information in diplomatic forums without exposing itself to charges of violating Lebanon's sovereignty?
How can Israel effectively exercise its right to self defense if it is attacked from Lebanon when there are third parties present on the ground?
How can Israel avoid a situation in which foreign and Lebanese forces become human shields for Hezbollah?
And what does Israel do if the Lebanese Army goes even beyond the role of human shield?
Should Israel take a sharp "zero tolerance" approach towards violations or instead wait for them to reach a critical mass?
How will Israel counter efforts to link Hezbollah compliance in Lebanon to demands for Israeli concessions?
These and other policy issues deserve and require serious consideration now.
Dealing with them on a piecemeal basis would be a recipe for disaster.
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