PM Netanyahu, Security Cabinet tour Lebanese border
Touring Golan Heights region near Lebanese border, PM Netanyahu and Security Cabinet receive security briefings from IDF Chief of Staff Eisenkot, other senior IDF officers; 'We desire peace, but remain prepared for any scenario, and I don't propose to anyone to test that resolve," Netanyahu says; on pursuit of Ariel terrorist: 'We brought Rabbi Shevah's murderer to justice, will do the same to Rabbi Ben-Gal's killer.'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the Security Cabinet toured the Golan Heights Tuesday afternoon and received briefings from IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, Maj.-Gen. Yoel Strik and Bashan Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Yaniv Asor.
"We desire peace, but remain prepared for any scenario, and I don't propose to anyone to test that resolve," Netanyahu said at the tour's conclusion. "I'm impressed with the immense efforts of the IDF here to protect both our borders and our country."
"I promised Raziel Shevah's widow that we will bring his killer to justice," Netanyahu said. "I wish to commend the Shin Bet, Yamam (special operations police unit) and the IDF for doing just that. The same will be the case for the heinous murderer of Itamar Ben-Gal. We're all with the family, with the widow."
On the other side of Israel's northern frontier, Lebanon's leaders decided Tuesday to operate in the international arena to prevent Israel from constructing a wall on the border between the two countries—over the so-called "Blue Line"—which they claim will damage their country's sovereignty.
President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri met to study recent "Israeli threats, and saw in them ... a direct threat to the stability" of the border region, the president's office said in a statement.
The three leaders also discussed Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman's statements regarding the contested Block 9—located in Lebanon's exclusive economic zone but bordering Israel.
"We've examined the data before us regarding the ramifications of threats posed by Israel, and consider them a grave breach of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and a direct threat to stability in the border region since the resolution was implemented in August 2006, through a collaborative effort between the Lebanese army and UNFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) forces," a statement by the three leaders said.
The three also agreed to "strenuously continue efforts on all levels to prevent Israel from constructing a concrete wall within Lebanese territory."
