US, Israel criticize UNSC for omitting Hezbollah in renewed peacekeeping mandate
Since the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolved to renew its peacekeeping mandate in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, US and Israeli officials have criticized the resolution for failing to condemn Hezbollah by name.
The resolution renewed the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is tasked, in part, with upholding UN Resolution 1701. This resolution is intended to prevent any armed forces, other than those of the Lebanese state, from operating in southern Lebanon.
UN Resolution 1701– which was approved by the United Nations, Lebanon and Israel during the 2006 Lebanon War – does specifically name Hezbollah.
American and Israeli officials, however, spoke out against the failure of the UNSC's renewal of the mandate to condemn the Lebanese terrorist organization by name.
U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood said that “it is wrong that this council has yet to condemn Hezbollah…due to a small minority of council members,” The Jerusalem Post reported.
Wood underscored that "extending UNIFIL's mandate, which this resolution does, supports our goal of regional de-escalation, which is now more important than ever.”
He stressed, however, that “going forward, we need to address the ways in which Hezbollah and other malign actors in Lebanon prevent the full implementation of Resolution 1701, constrain UNIFIL's ability to operate freely and threaten U.N. peacekeepers, safety and security.”
Danny Danon, Israeli ambassador to the UN, said “it is unacceptable that this resolution puts both sides on an equal footing, calling for both to de-escalate.”
Danon also called upon the Lebanese government to unite against Hezbollah.
“I have a message for the Lebanese people,” he said. “You and your government have a choice to make. Confront Hezbollah today, or watch as your country is dragged into chaos and destruction.”
We recommend to read:
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
