In a meeting today between Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and the UN Special Envoy to Lebanon, Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, in Jerusalem, Sa’ar declared, “Iran is smuggling funds to Hezbollah in Lebanon to restore its power. Lebanon has the chance to free itself from Iranian occupation.”
During the meeting, a variety of issues related to the implementation of the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon were discussed, such as matters concerning borders, Israel’s continued presence in five strategic points despite the ceasefire, and preventing Hezbollah from regaining strength. Sa’ar presented Israel’s positions on security and clarified the concerns about further entrenchment of terror organizations along the northern border.
An Opportunity for Lebanon: “To Escape Iranian Occupation”
Sa’ar emphasized that Lebanon has a historic opportunity to break free from Iran’s influence and return to a path of sovereignty and freedom. “We urge the Lebanese government to choose the path of independence and reconstruction and to abandon submission to Iran and the armed militias within its territory,” he said.
Israel continues its diplomatic efforts to garner international support to prevent the resurgence of Hezbollah’s power and to strengthen regional stability. The meeting with the UN envoy to Lebanon is part of a broader effort to persuade the international community to act against the harmful Iranian influence in the Middle East.
We Will Not Allow the Emergence of a Jihadist Threat on Our Border
Sa’ar’s remarks align with his previous statements during a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel. Sa’ar stated then: “We are determined to prevent what we saw in Syria from happening on our border. We will not allow the emergence of a Jihadist threat on our border with Syria.”
According to him, thousands of Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives are located in Syria, attempting to create another front against Israel and undermine stability in the region. Sa’ar called upon Europe to make a clear statement against the acts of mass murder in Syria and the harmful Iranian influence.
