Share
News

US Negotiator Briefs US Jews On The Israel-Lebanon Maritime Deal

Share

U.S. Senior Advisor for Energy Security Amos Hochstein holds a press conference after meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Beirut, Lebanon on August 01, 2022. Hochstein mediated negotiations to delineate a maritime border dispute between Lebanon and Israel. LABANESE PRESIDENCY/ANADOLU AGENCY VIA GETTY IMAGES 

The United States’ point man on the Israel-Lebanon maritime border accord spoke to the American Jewish community on Friday, detailing what the agreement is – a breakthrough between enemy states, and what it isn’t – a peace deal.

“As most people on this call know, Israel and Lebanon have never really agreed to very much, and have never agreed on a boundary. So, this is really a first of its kind,” Amos Hochstein, the special presidential coordinator for international energy security and infrastructure investment, said in a pre-Shabbat briefing.

“This is not a peace deal. This is not normalization. This is an agreement that allows the two countries to have a normalized boundary in the water,” added Hochstein.

The Zoom briefing, the first called by the White House’s liaison to the Jewish community, Shelley Greenspan, since she was chosen for the post in late July, gave American Jews an opportunity to hear directly from Hochstein. 

Trending:
Watch: Protesters Disrupt Biden's NYC Fundraiser with Obama and Bill Clinton - 'BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS'

However, no questions were taken from attendees. 

United States (US) Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Amos Hochstein (C) meets with Lebanese Energy Minister Walid Fayyad (R) at the ministry building in Beirut, Lebanon on July 31, 2022. Hochstein helped Israel and Lebanon reach a maritime deal. HOUSSAM SHBARO/ANADOLU AGENCY VIA GETTY IMAGES 

Hochstein, who held prior government roles during the Obama administration, detailed why he and others previously failed in the long quest to get a maritime border deal done, and how he was able to change the dynamic this time. 

“The first question I got during the interviews on Israeli television this week was: ‘Who won? Who got more?’ The question itself identifies the problem. And what I tried to change this time is rather than draw a line and talk about who gets what percent. 

“Let’s look at what each side actually wants, and see if they’re even in competition. And they really are not,” said Hochstein. 

In an effort to dispel criticism that the U.S. was meddling and pressuring the sides, including Israel, needlessly, he noted that both former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Lebanese leadership had reached out to the White House for help to move talks forward.

“I don’t think anybody forces Israel to do anything. Not at any game. What’s their interest? I think they do what they see is right. They have a very experienced and very tough team. And by the way, we didn’t force Lebanese to do anything either,” he said. 

Hochstein also addressed criticism that U.S. involvement in such a major and politically-charged negotiation during an Israeli election season was improper, and intended to assist the current government coalition led by Prime Minister Yair Lapid

“Ideally, we would have done this at a time when there was no election hanging over us. Unfortunately, for a negotiation that is going on for 10-11 years, you don’t get to choose the timing of when you make a breakthrough. 

Related:
Former MSNBC Host Chuck Todd Furious After Network Hires Former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel

Even though I wish it wasn’t during elections, it’s really important not to walk away from a point of agreement between the two most bitter enemies in the Middle East that can achieve a deal.

 Lebanese President Michel Aoun (C) meets with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikatiâ (not seen) after the maritime border agreement between Lebanon and Israel was signed in Beirut, Lebanon on October 11, 2022. Some believe US’ medling in the issue in Israel’s election season is not good. HUSSAM SHBARO/ANADOLU AGENCY VIA GETTY IMAGES 

“You may not ever get back to this, and how would we feel if conflict erupted in six months?” added Hochstein. He said that changing the mindset from a zero-sum game was the hardest obstacle to overcome in the talks. 

“The first reaction when they understand what they got is not to say this is good for me. It’s to say, well, what about the other side? And if they got something, does that automatically mean that I lost? Everybody does that, in the Middle East, for sure. 

The United States does it as well,” Hochstein said. 

“So the art of negotiation here was really for me to try to convince the parties to put away what the other side is getting from this and ask, are you getting what you need?” 

Hochstein claims certainty for Israel on security and the border and Lebanon’s economic needs were at the top of their respective priority lists. 

He also said that having natural gas rigs, vessels and infrastructure on the Lebanese side of the boundary will serve as a deterrent for Lebanon regarding maritime aggression towards Israel. 

“Both sides have what to lose from going into conflict in the waters. This doesn’t guarantee peace and security between Israel and Lebanon on the land. But it is a first-of-its-kind agreement that perhaps can be a model for the future,” said Hochstein.
 

Produced in association with Jewish News Syndicate.

The Western Journal has not reviewed this story prior to publication. Therefore, it may not meet our normal editorial standards. It is provided to our readers as a service from The Western Journal.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
Share

Conversation