Cabinet considers UN monitoring of Ghajar
Cabinet to go over plans coordinated with Lebanese officials in bid to solve issue of halved village. Proposal sees UN ensuring Hizbullah stays out. All of Ghajar residents allowed to keep Israeli citizenship
The National Security Cabinet will discuss on Sunday the possibility of having UN forces monitor the Lebanese side of the Ghajar village. The cabinet will also consider allowing residents living in the Lebanese side of the village to relocate to the Israeli side. If the proposals are adopted, they will constitute the first agreement between Israel and Lebanon made without Hizbullah involvement.
Over the past several weeks the National Security Council and IDF representatives have been deliberating the possible solutions available to solve the problem of the halved village. The council also maintained close contact with Lebanese officials throughout this time via UN arbitrators. The alternatives that will be presented on Sunday to the cabinet are, among other things, a result of this contact.
Ghajar's residents hold Israeli ID cards, this despite the fact the northern half of the village is on proper Lebanese territory. Over the years residents of the Lebanese side have connected to Israeli infrastructure and state services and have conveyed their desire to remain Israeli citizens. The unique situation of Ghajar has prevented Israel and Lebanon from reaching an agreement on the matter which would have split the village in two.
Shortly before his health incapacitated him, a plan for Ghajar's problem was presented to former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The plan, prepared by then National Security Council chief, Maj. Gen. (res) Giora Eiland, was presented to the public but never came into being. Now after the second war in Lebanon Israel seeks to resolve the Ghajar issue – whether through a UN monitoring force or by transferring the northern residents under Israel's sovereignty.
According to the plans expected to be put forth Sunday the UN may monitor both halves of the village. Residents who wish to do so, will continue to maintain Israeli ID cards. Everything ranging from medical services to infrastructure repairs will come from the Israeli side. The UN will be entrusted with preventing the entry of Hizbullah forces into the village, as has been the case in the past. The UN will also monitor movement from Ghajar into Israel.
