A Flawed Analysis

 

Today's Times carries an interesting article by Dr Christoph Bertram, the former director of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. His basic argument is that the international force for Lebanon that is being spoken about is not an answer to the current problem unless the root cause is addressed and this, in his view, is 'Israeli unilateralism'.

Few would doubt that a bilateral approach is better than a unilateral one in establishing peaceful relations with one's neighbours. And, as I have stated before, I do believe that peace between Israel and Syria (which I consider achievable) would be a crucial strategic breakthrough for the Middle East.

However, Dr. Bertram does not explain how this bilateral approach could work with Hamas or with Hezbollah. Where there can be no bilateral approach in the short term, the next best alternative is prudent and non-belligerent unilateralism. I think that Israel's withdrawal from its 'security zone' in Lebanon and from Gaza was preferable to its continued occupation of those territories. It gave Lebanon and the Palestinians the opportunity to at least achieve some stability. Unfortunately, the moderates there did not make it (although in Lebanon they came close). However, it was a good try and Israel now is defending its own borders, which has given it at least internal legitimacy.

The same objection applies to Dr. Bertram's apparent lack of enthusiasm for an international force in South Lebanon prior to a comprehensive peace agreement. As a peace agreement is not an immediate prospect, the choice we have is not between that ideal scenario and the one that is being debated by the great powers. It is rather between open warfare on the Israeli-Lebanese border with the probable restoration of an Israeli security zone in South Lebanon on the one hand and, on the other, a more stable, if not completely satisfactory situation with the two sides being separated by international forces. It makes little sense to reject an acceptable solution just because it is less attractive than an ideal but unattainable alternative.