To dispel some of the myths circulating on this board . .

[msmcghee]

. . regarding who actually started this current outbreak of hostilities in Lebanon / Israel, I offer this document dated 12 July 2006 from the Permanent
Representative of Israel to the United Nations addressed to the
Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council.

I have debated with others here regarding which side of the border the kidnapping occurred and whether the missiles and artillery fired by Hizbollah were after (perhaps in response to Israel's attempts to get them back) or concurrent with the kidnapping.

Many here have stated outright that Hezbollah kidnapped the two IDF on the Lebanese side of the blue line. If that was true then Israel would be guilty of breaking international law.

Many here have also stated outright that Hezbollah only began firing the missiles in retaliation for this incursion by Israeli forces into Lebanon.

I offer this letter - the contents of which, as far as I know, have not been disputed by Lebanon, Hizbollah or the UN.

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July 12, 2006

It is with a great sense of urgency and grave concern that I write you this letter of strong protest about the grave events occurring today on Israel's northern border with Lebanon. This morning, Hezbollah terrorists unleashed a barrage of heavy artillery and rockets into Israel, causing a number of deaths. In the midst of this horrific and unprovoked act, the terrorists infiltrated Israel and kidnapped two Israeli soldiers, taking them into Lebanon.

Responsibility for this belligerent act of war lies with the Government of Lebanon, from whose territory these acts have been launched into Israel. Responsibility also lies with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Syrian Arab Republic, which support and embrace those who carried out this attack.

These acts pose a grave threat not just to Israel's northern border, but also to the region and the entire world. The ineptitude and inaction of the Government of Lebanon has led to a situation in which it has not exercised jurisdiction over its own territory for many years. The Security Council has addressed this situation time and time again in its debates and resolutions. Let me remind you also that Israel has repeatedly warned the international community about this dangerous and potentially volatile situation. In this vacuum festers the Axis of Terror: Hezbollah and the terrorist States of Iran and Syria, which have today opened another chapter in their war of terror.

Today's act is a clear declaration of war, and is in blatant violation of the Blue Line, Security Council resolutions 425 (1978), 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006) and all other relevant resolutions of the United Nations since Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon in May 2000.

Israel thus reserves the right to act in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations and exercise its right of self-defence when an armed attack is launched against a Member of the United Nations. The State of Israel will take the appropriate actions to secure the release of the kidnapped soldiers and bring an end to the shelling that terrorizes our citizens.

I would be grateful if you would arrange to have the text of the present letter circulated as a document of the sixtieth session of the General Assembly, under agenda items 14 and 108, and of the Security Council.


(Signed) Dan Gillerman
Ambassador
Permanent Representative

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Note to moderators. I had a thread locked in the IP area because my topic was not a "current event". This also does not seem like a current event. If I'm supposed to post this someplace other than here please move it for me.