Village of Ghajar
Photo: Hanan Greenberg
Ghajar residents to UNIFIL: We won't agree to division
First working meeting of UN officials in Ghajar in regards to border with Lebanon held after Israeli government decides to transfer responsibility for northern part of village. Residents: UN won't come in here and divide entire families
The village of Ghajar, which is split in half by the Israeli-Lebanese border, was surprised by a visit of 20 UNIFIL officers and soldiers stationed in southern Lebanon.
The UNIFIL personnel came for a tour and a working meeting with the village notables. Village residents made it clear that they won't agree to divide the village.
According to UN officials, the meeting took place as part of the application of Resolution 1701 that was ratified by the Israeli government and includes the decision to abrogate Israel's responsibility for the northern part of the village.
About 1,000 people out of 2,100 residents of the divided village protested Sunday the resolution. According to the village mayor, they had yet to receive an update by a government or military official about their future until now.
'Ghajar's fate will be fate of Golan Heights'
Village spokesman Najib Hatib said that residents explained to the UN officers that they have no intention of agreeing to the division of the village.
"Two-thirds of the village residents will go live on Lebanese territory as refugees, and this is impermissible. We were conquered by the State of Israel along with the Golan Heights and we all have blue identity cards.
"Ghajar's fate will be the fate of the Golan Heights during a future arrangement with the Syrians. We live a an area that was declared closed military territory, and the State of Israel is holding negotiations with the UN at our expense," said Hatib.
Ghajar residents petitioned UNIFIL Commander Alain Pellegrini, demanding that he prevent UNIFIL troops from deploying in the northern region of the village until the village leaders come to an understanding with Israel.
The village council is concerned that Lebanese army officers will arrive in the northern part of the village after the UNIFIL troops are positioned there, a situation that would create friction and would ultimately be to the detriment of village residents.
"UN personnel didn't know how to answer us how they would feel if their children needed to undergo a bodily security check and to present documentation before going to school on the southern side of the village," said Hatib.
As of now, Ghajar residents are weighing their next steps and are standing their own against the UN that "the UN won't walk in here and divide entire families."
