Former state attorney attorney Shlomo Filber said Thursday that Israel is almost certain to refuse a withdrawal from Lebanon as part of the reported US-Iran memorandum of understanding, even if it risks a direct confrontation with Washington. Filber described the current moment as the greatest test for Prime Minister Netanyahu and the state.
Shlomo Filber, a former state attorney and a figure close to Likud circles, made the statement on Thursday morning as reports of a US-Iran memorandum of understanding continue to circulate. The framework, reportedly to be signed on Friday, includes provisions that could require Israel to halt operations and withdraw from southern Lebanon. Filber expressed near-certainty that Israel would reject any such demand, even if the refusal leads to a diplomatic crisis with the United States.
Filber's remarks reflect a consistent position The Zioneer has tracked across Israeli political and security circles over the past week. On Wednesday, analyst Yair Goldblatt warned against succumbing to US pressure on Lebanon. On Monday, Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the IDF would remain in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza indefinitely. Last Sunday, Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly told President Trump that Israel is not bound by any Lebanon clause in the emerging deal.
The US-Iran agreement remains unverified and its full details have not been seen by Israeli officials. Filber's assessment, while not an official government statement, aligns with the public posture of the Israeli leadership. The issue is expected to remain at the center of the diplomatic agenda as the signing approaches.
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