Fifteen years. Fifteen years have passed since
the Second Lebanon war. A war in which we love forty-four
civilians, including children, women and elderly,
and one-hundred and one IDF soldiers ― the best amongst
our troops, who have lost their lives in the task of defending
the residents of the north and the entire state of Israel.
The (military) campaign endured for 34 days which brought
about quiet to the North. Quiet that prologued
for fifteen years, to-date. Vital quiet that is more precious
than pendants; quiet which you ― bereaved families
― paid for it with a very heavy price.
We both appreciate and recognize you for the quiet.
However, in general, we are not complacent.
We are not addicted to the quiet from the north.
We know that the threat remains severe.
Recent weeks proved to us once again how quiet is
a relative and fragile term. We are aware of Hezbollah’s
persistent efforts to bolster itself with the backing and support of Iran;
to arm itself with weapons that has a single designated purpose ― harming
the civilian rear (Home Front) of the state of Israel.
The State of Israel will not enable Iran’s continued
empowerment in Lebanon. We see with our own eyes Iran,
a country which had a rich culture, radicalizing from day-to-day under
a fundamentalist regime which leads it and its citizens to disaster.
The state of Israel will not allow Iran to send its proxies here,
to the Middle East. We will not allow it.
We will not allow Iran to erect a forward base in Lebanon or in Syria.
The State of Israel will respond with resolve to Iranian aggression
as we regard the obligation to defend Israel’s citizens and basic principle.
It is not our right; it is our obligation ―
a basic obligation to protect our citizens.
We have no war or any disagreement with
the nation in Lebanon. We know that many in Lebanon,
many Lebanese citizens, suffer badly from a humanitarian
crisis; a health crisis; economic (crisis); as well as (a) social (crisis)
because of being hostages of Hezbollah ― a murderous,
vicious and radical organizations. We know that many of the citizens
of Lebanon are hostages against their will to an Iranian agenda
which threatens and imposes a dark shadow on its future.
We want and know to be good neighbors.
But of course, we will not tolerate nor enable anyone to distance
themselves from responsibility. We will claim, and continue to claim
a heavy price from the State of Lebanon for any attack that will
emanate from its territory. So it was, and so it will be.
The best thing that the U.S. can do is to offer the necessary guarantees
for rejoining the JCPOA and not violating Resolution 2231 again.
If any topics are to be discussed, once the U.S. returns to the JCPOA,
there is a list of matters that it has to answer for.
What remains requires political action more than a negotiation.
Political action taken by all sides. All sides are currently in a position
where they need to make a political decision.
If these political decisions are taken, we can be hopeful
to have entered the final round of negotiations.
A new nuclear deal will never be discussed or negotiated.