Overview

Yisrael Beytenu party leader Avigdor Liberman has called upon Israel to occupy southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is no longer a threat. Speaking at Reichman University, Liberman also emphasized that Israel must remain steadfast in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Why It Matters

Liberman’s stance is rooted in a strong pro-security policy aimed at protecting Israeli citizens from threats posed by Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. This perspective highlights the importance of decisive military action to ensure long-term peace and security for Israel.

Details

Liberman criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not preventing a potential Hamas invasion but strongly supported actions against Hezbollah. He asserted that any diplomatic solution without neutralizing Hezbollah would be inadequate and temporary.

The party leader clarified that Israel should occupy Lebanese territory solely for security purposes without establishing settlements and would withdraw once the Hezbollah threat abates. Comparing to past strategies, Liberman stressed that current circumstances call for a reassessment and possible reimplementation if properly executed.

The Bigger Picture

While acknowledging past losses, Liberman believes that effective military strategies can minimize such casualties. He highlighted the potential need for three IDF divisions to secure southern Lebanon.

Liberman also reinforced the necessity of maintaining a firm stance against Iran, even if it means independently defeating Iran’s nuclear threat. He called for strategic action rather than relying heavily on international coalitions.

Liberman’s Vision

According to Liberman, Israel should bolster ties with moderate Sunni nations, believing they will support Israel once it handles Tehran definitively. This underscores Israel’s role in regional security and the strategic measures needed to neutralize significant threats.

This story was first published on jpost.com.