DEFMIN PERETZ AND CODEL SPECTER DISCUSS LEBANON,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 003316 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER EG IS IR LE SY SUBJECT: DEFMIN PERETZ AND CODEL SPECTER DISCUSS LEBANON, SYRIA, AND THE PALESTINIANS Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In an August 20 meeting with Senator Arlen Specter in Jerusalem, Israeli Minister of Defense Amir Peretz claimed victory against Hizballah, raised the possibility of talks with Syria, and expressed concern that the international community is not keeping its commitment to deploy a robust force into southern Lebanon. He reiterated his support for a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based upon a return to the 1967 borders, with exceptions made for Jerusalem and major Israeli settlement blocs. Peretz advocated negotiations with, and support for, Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas and claimed that Israeli military activity has greatly weakened Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He said that Khaled Meshaal is blocking a possible release of an Israeli soldier held in Gaza and expressed a willingness to negotiate with the Government of Lebanon -- but not Hizballah -- concerning two Israeli soldiers kidnapped on the northern border and Lebanese nationals in Israeli custody. End summary. -------------- -------------- PERETZ CLAIMS SUCCESS IN LEBANON; DISCUSSES SYRIA AND IRAN -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Peretz began the meeting by claiming victory in Israel's clash with Hizballah. Although he acknowledged that Hizballah is able to claim that it was successful by merely surviving, he insisted that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had won every single battle. He said that the IDF would learn from its losses -- most of which were the result of anti-tank guided missiles, mines, and IEDs. He urged the international community to re-define rules of engagement for armed conflicts so that civilians who shelter terrorists are treated as legitimate military targets. "Anyone who shelters terrorists in his house risks not only his life, but also the life of his family," warned Peretz. He also urged the international community to take the lead on reconstructing southern Lebanon in order to avoid any increase in Iranian influence in the region. ¶3. (C) Senator Specter asked if ISRAEL had considered taking military action against Hizballah's state sponsors. Peretz replied that the Iranian issue is one for the international community, not just for Israel. Alluding to Hizballah's support from Tehran, he added that "one cannot ignore that we have fought against Iran." He said ISRAEL had avoided attacks on Syria for a number of reasons: to avoid opening a "second front," to prevent pushing Syria "deeper into the arms of Iran," and to preclude an excuse for the reintroduction of Syrian forces into Lebanon. He suggested that ISRAEL and the international community should consider whether negotiations with Damascus could possibly sever it from the Iran-Syria-Hizballah axis. -------------- --- INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY COMMITMENT TO UNSCR 1701 -------------- --- ¶4. (C) Peretz complained that while ISRAEL is fulfilling all of its commitments under United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701, the international community's willingness to do its part is "getting weaker and weaker." He maintained that ISRAEL had supported the UNSCR even though the GOI would have preferred to continue military operations against Hizballah for a "few more days." He expressed great concern over the lack of serious commitment by potential troop contributors (particularly France) and asked the USG to more forcefully express its own views on this issue. He cautioned that a failure to deploy the 15,000 troops would leave ISRAEL facing a situation even worse than the one that existed when hostilities commenced, i.e., the Lebanese Armed Forces will be in the IDF's field of fire if it is forced to take renewed action. Accordingly, Peretz said that ISRAEL is preparing itself for another possible confrontation with Hizballah. If a robust force does not deploy quickly, Peretz asked the United States to remind the UNSC that ISRAEL has a right to defend itself. -------------- RETURN TO PRE-1967 BORDERS ... WITH CHANGES -------------- ¶5. (C) Responding to Senator Specter's query about the status of Israeli-Palestinian relations, Peretz said that he supports a settlement based on the 1967 borders, but insisted that the borders will need to be modified. He reiterated Israel's unwillingness to withdraw from Jerusalem and the major settlement blocs in the West Bank, but indicated that the Palestinians could be compensated with other land. Referring to the recent Qassam and Katyusha rocket attacks on Israel, Peretz added that "tactical weapons affect strategic decisions." ¶6. (C) Peretz categorized Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip as "very successful," saying the IDF has dealt Hamas "a very severe blow." He stressed that ISRAEL will not negotiate with Hamas, but wants to deal with -- and strengthen -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas. He urged Abbas to take advantage of the weakness of Hamas to "exert authority and lead." -------------- -------------- SECURING THE RELEASE OF CAPTURED ISRAELI SOLDIERS -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) Peretz indicated that ISRAEL is more likely to secure the return of the Israeli soldier abducted by Hamas than in obtaining the release of the two Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hizballah. He claimed that Egypt, President Abbas, and local Hamas leaders all want to release Cpl. Shalit in return for an end to offensive military activity by the IDF in the Gaza Strip, adding that Khaled Meshaal is preventing such a deal. Peretz vowed that ISRAEL would not negotiate with Hizballah, but said the GOI is willing to deal with the Government of Lebanon to discuss the IDF soldiers held in Lebanon and Lebanese prisoners held by Israel. He stressed, however, that ISRAEL has learned from its previous mistakes and will not include Palestinian prisoners in any such talks. ¶8. (U) CODEL Specter did not have the opportunity to clear this message before departing post. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** JONES