DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

Herzog urges Lebanon to reject Hezbollah, Iran influence

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to reject Hezbollah and Iran's influence, extending a hand of peace to the Lebanese people.
  • Herzog stated that peace with Lebanon is feasible but requires Lebanese leadership to stand against Iran and Hezbollah, emphasizing Israel's right to self-defense against attacks.
  • Lebanese President Aoun, in a CNN interview, echoed sentiments of his people being "fed up" with war and accused Iran of using Lebanon for its own interests.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog called on Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to free Lebanon from the influence of Hezbollah and Iran, extending a hand of peace to the Lebanese people. Speaking in Arabic and English, Herzog stated that peace with Lebanon is "feasible" but requires the Lebanese government and people to "stand up against Iran and against Hezbollah." He emphasized that Israel seeks peace and supports it, expressing a personal dream of driving to Beirut. However, he noted that Israel "cannot accept any attacks on our citizens, any attacks crossing our borders, any attacks of terror," and stressed Israel's right to self-defense.

We in Israel seek peace with Lebanon. Peace with Lebanon is feasible. I always say, my dream is to take a car and drive all the way to Beirut. It's feasible. But for that, the government of Lebanon, the leadership of Lebanon, and the people of Lebanon have to stand up against Iran and against Hezbollah, and make it clear that they want peace, not terror.

— Isaac HerzogIsraeli President Isaac Herzog addressed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the Lebanese people in a video statement.

Herzog highlighted that Hezbollah violated the 2006 Security Council resolution and the 2024 ceasefire agreement. He concluded that moving forward requires a "clear arrangement that protects our nations," placing the responsibility in Lebanon's hands. The statement followed an interview by President Aoun on CNN, where Aoun also criticized Hezbollah and Iran.

It was Hezbollah who violated the Security Council resolution of 2006. It was Hezbollah who violated the ceasefire agreement of 2024. And Israelis and Israel cannot accept any attacks on our citizens, any attacks crossing our borders, any attacks of terror.

— Isaac HerzogIsraeli President Isaac Herzog explained Israel's position regarding attacks from Lebanon.

In his CNN interview, President Aoun stated that the Lebanese people are "fed up" with the war between Hezbollah and Israel, describing the conflict as "futile" and expressing their desire not to see their homes destroyed repeatedly. He accused Iran of using Lebanon "for the sake of your [Iran’s] own interest," asserting that the people of Lebanon are paying the price. Aoun's remarks suggest a growing internal Lebanese sentiment against the ongoing conflict and foreign influence.

They deserve not seeing their homes destroyed every five to 10 years. It is futile.

— Joseph AounLebanese President Joseph Aoun described the war between Hezbollah and Israel in an interview with CNN.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog