Deputy Premier David Levy said the United States behavior regarding Lebanon was due to its “tiredness and weakness.” In comments to reporters, he said that Washington had been “duped” by Syria but had itself exhibited tiredness and weakness. Levy said he could not but be “disappointed.” This criticism of the U.S. is in marked contrast to Premier Yitzhak Shamir who has carefully avoided outright criticism of the Reagan Administration.
The Deputy Premier said the abrogation of the May 17 Lebanese-Israeli agreement was “very serious … but the heavens will not fall in.” He said the Cabinet would very soon decide on a longterm policy in Lebanon. The guidelines, he said, should be “minimal presence and maximal ability to act.” Levy is reportedly a foremost advocate in the Cabinet of an Israel Defense Force withdrawal to a more southerly line in south Lebanon.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
