US Ambassador To Lebanon: Israel Needs No Permission To Defend Itself
Israel’s freedom to defend itself does not hinge on Washington’s approval, the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, made clear in an interview marking his first weeks on the job. “Israel assesses its own security needs and will take whatever measures it deems necessary to protect its citizens,” he told Haaretz, underscoring that Jerusalem alone determines its defensive actions.
Even as he highlighted Israel’s autonomy, Issa emphasized that the United States remains deeply engaged with Lebanon’s leadership, pressing them to carry out their longstanding pledge to strip Hezbollah of its weapons. He said Washington is “strongly urging them to implement their own historic decision to disarm Hezbollah,” a commitment he described as central to Lebanon’s stability. The American stance, he explained, “is essential for restoring the authority of the Lebanese state and safeguarding the country’s future.”
Issa made it clear that the U.S. sees Hezbollah’s disarmament — along with stemming Iran’s broader regional influence — as a critical prerequisite for security. “Disarming Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations in Lebanon, as well as ending Iran’s proxy activities more broadly, is a key step to ensuring peace in Lebanon and across the region,” he said. He chose not to address whether diplomatic dialogue between Jerusalem and Beirut might materialize anytime soon.
His remarks come amid a fragile calm, one year after a U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire effort between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has repeatedly accused Lebanon of refusing to fulfill its obligation to dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenal, while the group continues to rebuild military assets and operate along Israel’s northern frontier. Israeli strikes have targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, including the recent killing of the group’s Chief of Staff, Haytham Ali Tabtabai, in Beirut.
Following that strike, Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem responded defiantly in a televised address. He condemned the killing as “a blatant aggression and a heinous crime,” declaring, “We have the right to respond, and we will determine the timing for that.”
Issa, who also currently functions as the acting U.S. special envoy to the region after replacing Tom Barrack, outlined Washington’s goals for Lebanon: promoting “a durable peace between Lebanon and Israel and supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty,” countering Iran’s influence, and advancing economic cooperation. He said the U.S. hopes to encourage “a peaceful and prosperous future for Lebanon through strengthening commercial opportunities for Americans in Lebanon and with Lebanese partners.”
{Matzav.com}
