Robert Wexler: “First and foremost, from here on in, nobody can say anything other than Israel has, in fact, fulfilled its obligations…”

“First and foremost, from here on in, nobody can say anything other than Israel has, in fact, fulfilled its obligations under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 425. As a result of Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, could it also not be said that the ball is now in the court of the Lebanese people, their leadership, as well as the Syrian people and their leadership. This is an extraordinary opportunity for the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon to be an impetus for peace. But Israel's actions, as they represent a risk for peace, will only result in peace if they are followed by similar risks by the Lebanese government and the Syrian government. There can be no more excuses. Those that allege a fight in the name of some kind of redeployment or removal from Israel from Lebanon have no more excuses. It is time for Hezbollah to put down its arms. It is time for the United Nations to ensure peace in southern Lebanon and Israel's northern border. The world should be put at alarm because, for now, it is the Lebanese people and the Syrian leadership that have the opportunity to create a real and lasting peace.”