Israel & Lebanon are a step closer to resolving its maritime dispute

Israeli Lawmakers Optimistic Maritime Compromise With Lebanon Is 'A Good Deal'

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The Judean Staff
International

A senior political figure spoke on the condition of anonymity about the new maritime border agreement with Lebanon while emphasizing that along with the security benefit, this deal can lead to regional stability and it might even foster unity between Israel and Lebanon. According to the source, Israel will receive financial compensation for granting part of the Sidon reservoir to Lebanon, with guarantees from the Italian and French companies that manage the ongoing drilling project.

Many in Israel see the deal as a capitulation and even some in the United States, who proposed the lopsided settlement are concerned that President Joe Biden forced the agreement on America's ally in the region. However, Israeli government officials claim the good outweighs the bad, and that what was given up was nothing compared to the prospects that the deal can bring for stability in the region moving forward.

One key benefit, according to the source, is the maritime border line. The line runs west of Rosh Hanikra and is 5 km long,  the demarcation will be sealed within the agreement and for the first time, will receive international recognition. Why this is a benefit was not explained. Israel had survived for 74 years without international recognition of its maritime borders, some think of it as 'a bone' thrown towards the country by Biden with no real benefit to the State of Israel.

The U.S. also has yet to recognize this line, which was observed and controlled from the shores of both countries, declared by Israel and in 2018 the Lebanese agreed to it, only to fall back on that once it was revealed there was a significant natural gas deposit on Israel's side of the border. The source said that Israel has been demanding recognition of this border line for years, and now it will be written in international law as a full maritime border line.

"Lebanon did not get everything it wanted, because it is a fact that over many years of negotiations they strongly demanded the more southern lines of the economic waters between the two countries, including line 29 that cuts through the Karish Reservoir," said the source. "The Lebanese government will receive revenues from the Sidon reservoir in a way that will contribute to its economic stability."

It remains to be seen how Lebanon will respond to the deal, reports today claim Lebanon is not considering this a partnership as Israeli lawmakers are promoting it. No word on whether they accept the terms, though and that will only be revealed once they officially reply to the U.S. offer.

Israeli legal sources speculated that the Legal Adviser to the Government, Gali Beharev-Miara, will not express an opinion according to which the agreement with Lebanon should be approved after holding a referendum.

However, Miara is expected to uphold the principle that the agreement must be brought to the approval of the government and then the Knesset, and not rely on the approval of the security cabinet alone. The Ministry of Justice began consultations on whether, on the eve of elections and in the midst of a transitional government, it is legal and appropriate to approve a political agreement of such nature.

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, called the agreement a surrender to Hezbollah, saying that the transitional government does not have the authority to pass it and added that he does not see the agreement as binding if it is made official. Defense Minister Benny Gantz responded to Netanyahu’s dissent and dismissed it as campaign rhetoric. Gantz scolded Netanyahu for playing the far-right electorate while keeping his own involvement in the deal quiet. Netanyahu himself worked with Gantz as well as former Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz on the agreement and had been doing so for years. "I suggest he ask for an orderly update before he gives fuel to Nasrallah's propaganda," he noted. Prime Minister Yair Lapid also attacked Netanyahu's words, calling them "irresponsible" and also adding that they benefit Hezbollah.

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