Foes Hold Key to Israeli Pullout

Ariel Sharon, who as defense minister in 1982 organized Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, has now added his voice to those calling for the withdrawal of the 1,500 Israeli troops stationed in the so-called security zone in southern Lebanon. The rising sentiment in Israel for a pullout reflects a consensus that the costs of maintaining the status quo far exceed the benefits. About 200 Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon since 1985, 39 last year alone. But while Israel seems ready to begin a phased withdrawal, it is not willing to act heedlessly. What it seeks, and what it should have in the interests of reducing tensions, is cooperation from Lebanon’s government and from Syria, whose large troop presence in the eastern Bekaa Valley makes it the real power in Lebanon.

Israel invaded Lebanon in 1978 and again in 1982, each time seeking to halt cross-border attacks by the Palestine Liberation Organization. The 1982 operation took Israel to the suburbs of Beirut and drove the PLO from the country. But the PLO’s place in the south was taken by the militant Shiite Muslim militia Hezbollah, whose periodic rocket attacks menace northern Israel and whose ambushes and suicide bombers have taken a heavy toll of Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon.

If the rebuilt Lebanese army were, with Syria’s support, to assume security responsibilities in the south, Hezbollah would cease to be a threat to Israel. The Iranian-backed group, the only one of Lebanon’s many militias not disarmed by Syria when it moved forcefully in 1991 to end Lebanon’s internecine fighting, might resist. There’s no question, though, that if Syria wants Hezbollah neutralized it can be.

Lebanon and Syria have publicly stuck to the demand that Israel withdraw its forces unilaterally and unconditionally. A more pragmatic response, one that takes account of Israel’s security concerns, would stand a far better chance of speeding the departure of one foreign occupier from Lebanon and extending the Beirut government’s sovereignty over more of the country. Israel is clearly eager to bring its troops home. With a little cooperation from its foes, that could be fairly quickly arranged.