Against the background of the criticism: a political party reveals the American guarantees for the agreement with Lebanon Israel today

Against the backdrop of the question marks regarding the strength of the guarantees given by the US to the maritime border agreement with Lebanon that was signed yesterday, a political official revealed details of the letter of guarantees addressed to Prime Minister Lapid and signed by President Biden.

According to reports from the cabinet meeting where the agreement was approved, Alternate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett criticized the content of the American guarantees and claimed that they are not concrete and strong enough.

However, Bennett ultimately voted to approve the agreement.

According to the source, "President Biden's letter defines Lapid's role as courageous and expresses clear and unambiguous US support for Israel's positions on issues related to the maritime line agreement, including a commitment that in some cases exceeds policy statements." However, despite The clear declarative and political backing, it seems that the USA does not commit to concrete measures in the event of the violation of the agreement and is content with general statements.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun signs the maritime border agreement, photo: AFP

Prime Minister Yair Lapid signs the maritime border agreement, photo: Yoav Dudkevich

The political official stressed that "in the letter, the US reiterates its commitment to help Israel defend itself and deter its enemies, including in the naval arena and including against a threat to Israel's strategic assets at sea or against Israeli vessels." However, the letter clarifies that this is about Israel doing This on its own, with American backing.

In the letter, President Biden defines the agreement as "a historic achievement and a first step to promote stability between Israel and Lebanon."

Biden clarifies that the US is committed to the full implementation of the agreement and to Israel's security and economic rights agreed upon in it.

The maritime border with Lebanon, photo: Eyal Margolin - Janey

In addition, the United States recognizes the line of protection as the "status quo line" between the parties, and declares that it will oppose any attempt to challenge this line, except with the consent of both parties. As a reminder, Lebanon also recognized the status quo of the line of protection as the maritime boundary line in the adjacent area to the coast, but refused to recognize it as an official and permanent border.

Regarding the Kana gas field, the US clarifies in the letter that it is committed to Israel's economic rights in the reservoir, if gas is indeed found there, and undertakes to prevent Hezbollah from profiting from it, in accordance with the sanctions regime imposed on the organization even today.

According to the political source, "At the end of the letter, President Biden declares that he is committed to continuing to strengthen relations with Israel in accordance with the Jerusalem Declaration, which was signed by him and Prime Minister Lapid during the president's visit to Israel in the summer."

The final text of the letter was agreed upon yesterday and is expected to be signed at the beginning of the week.

According to the source, "the letter itself was not published since, unlike political agreements, it is never customary to disclose letters of guarantees."

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