Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Wednesday for the Lebanese to join Israel in its war against Hezbollah, considering that the country has become a “hostage” in the hands of the party.
In a video message addressed to the Lebanese people, Netanyahu said, “Israel is not at war with you. We are at war with Hezbollah, which has taken your country hostage… Israel wants peace with you, with Lebanon.”
He added, “Seize your future. Join Israel. Build security and prosperity for all our children. Once Hezbollah is dismantled, the possibilities will be limitless, and they will be enormous.”
Following the same path, Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed a “message of peace” to the Lebanese people in Arabic on Wednesday, stressing that the Lebanese state must be freed from the influence of the party.
Herzog said: “From Israel’s northern border, I extend a hand of peace to the President of Lebanon and to the Lebanese people. But Lebanon must remain free from the influence of Iran, Hezbollah and terrorist organizations as an independent and sovereign state.”
He added: “My dream is to travel to Beirut, and this dream remains, but only if the future of Lebanon is determined in Beirut, and not in Tehran.”
It is worth noting that Lebanese-Israeli negotiations are scheduled to resume on June 22. The negotiations initially began on April 14 at the US State Department. A second round was held on April 23 at the White House. The third round took place on May 14 and 15 at the US State Department. The fourth round was held on June 2 and 3.
