Cleveland+Ch+18+Notes+Part+2

Cleveland Chapter 18 pg. 376 – 382

1982 Israeli Invasion of Lebanon June 1982 Israel’s longest and most controversial war 3 months Israeli Defense Forces Engaged units of PLO Beirut under siege Civilian deaths

Menachem Begin Goal of annexing West Bank If Israel could drive PLO from Lebanon – Palestinians in West Bank would be isolated Lebanese government weakening control Allowed PLO to gain autonomy in a belt = West Beirut to Israeli border 1978 Invasion 25,000 Israeli troops entered Lebanon UN and United States pressured Israel to withdraw Thousands of mainly //Shi’a// refugees Two lessons: 1. PLO guerrillas could not be eliminated by military action in southern Lebanon alone 2. influence of Palestinians on Lebanese affairs was directly tied to Lebanon’s political stability

The Plan – Begin and Minister of Defense Sharon 3 Main objectives: 1. destruction of PLO as a fighting force 2. withdrawal of Syrian troops in Lebanon 3. forge an alliance with dominant Maronite faction (led by Bashir Gemayel) Bashir Gemayel Son of Pierre – founder of Phalange Commander of Lebanese Forces – mix of Christian militias Launched a series of campaigns in 1970s and 80s to bring all militias under his control Disliked PLO and Syrian presence in Lebanon

“Peace for Galilee” Israel’s response to series of PLO mortar and rocket attacks against Galilee settlements (northern Israel) Purpose: to destroy PLO bases in southern Lebanon Destroy PLO infrastructure in West Beirut Ensure election of Bashir as president of Lebanon Summer 1982 Beirut under siege Civilians subjected to intense air, sea and land bombardments Mediation* Called for multinational force headed by France and US Evacuation of PLO fighters Guaranteed safety for Palestinian civilians left behind US forces withdrew by Sept. 1; agreement signed Aug. 18


 * mediation was pushed by mounting domestic criticism in Israel and deteriorating conditions in West Beirut

Bashir assassinated 2 weeks after elected President Israel sent army into West Beirut Sabra and Shatila refugee camps units of Phalange massacred over 1,000 Palestinian men, women and children

Kahan Commission International, domestic criticism Created to investigate events at Sabra and Shatila Singled out Sharon’s role – forced to resign Minister Begin’s reputation was ruined – resigned in 1983 Disillusioned by failures and high casualty rates of Israeli soldiers

Effect of Lebanon war on PLO Headquarters moved to Tunis Organization less cohesive and more vulnerable from Arab state pressures

Partial Israeli withdrawal 1983 – 1985 New President Amin Gemayel faced armed opposition from Druze and Shi’a Turned to Syria for help PLO returned to Lebanon

Aftermath of invasion Lebanon suffered from violence and governmental paralysis PLO reestablished presence Muslim and Christian militia combat Shi’a community rallied behind Amal and Hizbollah Achievement of political and religious goals Hizbollah operating on funds from Iran 40,000 Syrian troops installed

Essential Problem in Lebanon Power given to religious groups that no longer reflected country’s demographic Failure to agree on political reforms

Taif Accord of 1989 Lebanon’s politicians brought together under Arab League Taif, Saudi Arabia Transfer of some power of the Presidency to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Less power to Maronite Prez and more to Muslim PM Equal number of seats in Parliament for Christians and Muslims Affirmed religious identity as core of Lebanese politics Acknowledged existence of relationship between L and Syria Extension of Beirut government over entire country Made possible by aid from Syrian militias Caused Maronites to resist Accor

Aoun rebellion Proclaimed a war of liberation against Syrian presence in Lebanon 2 years Artillery battles in Beirut = heavy civilian casualties Ended by Syrian air and ground forces attack in Beirut – October 1990 World attention focused on Iraq invasion of Kuwait

Postwar reconstruction President Ilyas Hrawi Demilitarization of militias Reinstatement of authority of Lebanese army 2 problems: 1. civil war had deepened sectarian identities 2. Israel still occupied sections of south Lebanon and thus Amal and Hizbollah would not voluntarily give up weapons