AJC Urges UN Action on Hezbollah Rearmament
February 23, 2007 - New York - The American Jewish Committee contacted UN Security Council members expressing deep concern over Hezbollah's repeated and systematic violations of UN Resolution 1701.
"These violations pose a serious threat to peace and security along the Israeli-Lebanese border and within Lebanon itself," wrote AJC President E. Robert Goodkind and Executive Director David A. Harris. "We call upon the Security Council to take the necessary measures to uphold its resolutions regarding Lebanon. Last summer's hostilities along the Israeli-Lebanese border should serve as a warning against the dangers involved in acquiescing to Hezbollah's violations."
The full text of the AJC letter follows:
Your Excellency:
We are writing to express the American Jewish Committee's profound concern over the dangerous situation created by Hezbollah's repeated and systematic violations of Security Council Resolution 1701. These violations pose a serious threat to peace and security along the Israeli-Lebanese border and within Lebanon itself.
In a public speech on February 16, Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, stated that his organization possesses all means of warfare, and continues to rearm with a view to equipping itself with more sophisticated weapons. Citing the right of "resistance," he admitted that Hezbollah is secretly transferring weapons to the "front," meaning southern Lebanon. Nasrallah's statement is an open admission that Hezbollah is actively violating the provisions of Resolution 1701, as well as those of previous Security Council resolutions.
Unfortunately, Nasrallah's bragging is well-founded. There is clear evidence that Syria is allowing or facilitating the transport of weapons from its territory to Hezbollah, helping that terrorist organization re-establish its armed presence in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has recently deployed a battery of surface-to-surface missiles in Qasmiayya, south of the Litani River. Just a few days ago, a truck loaded with weapons for Hezbollah was seized en route to southern Lebanon.
Resolution 1701 called on all states to take the necessary measures to prevent "the sale or supply to any entity or individual in Lebanon of arms and related materiel of all types," except those authorized by the government of Lebanon or by UNIFL. It also reaffirmed Resolution 1559, which called for "the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias," meaning Hezbollah and other militias.
We call upon the Security Council to take the necessary measures to uphold its resolutions regarding Lebanon. Last summer's hostilities along the Israeli-Lebanese border should serve as a warning against the dangers involved in acquiescing to Hezbollah's violations.
Respectfully,
E. Robert Goodkind David A. Harris
Ari M. Gordon Assistant Director Department of Interreligious Affairs American Jewish Committee 165 E56th St. New York, NY 10022 (212) 891-6768 (212) 751-4000 x266 www.ajc.org www.engagingamerica.org