Defense Minister Mose Arens predicted today that “Israel and Lebanon will soon reach agreement.” He said that “What is most needed now is patience to facilitate negotiations.” Arens, addressing the Likud Knesset faction, claimed that the war in Lebanon brought “tremendous achievements for Israel,”
He mentioned “the destruction of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s ‘state within a state’,” and “the defeat of the Syrian air force.” Arens also observed that “This is the first war Israel fought which has been followed immediately by negotiations.”
Likud faction leader Sarah Doron assailed critics of the Lebanese war who are urging soldiers not to accept campaign medals. She said this was “an unpatriotic act which smacks of disloyalty to the country and an attempt to question the legitimacy of the government.”
Eleven officers and soldiers will receive medals of valor for exceptional bravery during the war in Lebanon at the President’s residence in Jerusalem tomorrow. An additional 45 officers and men will be presented with certificates of honorable mention. Twelve of the certificates will be awarded posthumously to the families of soldiers killed in battle.
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