http://search.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WAPO/19990728/V000953-072899-idx.html
Group Criticizes Israel Expulsion
By Sam F. Ghattas
Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, July 28,
1999; 7:30 a.m. EDT
Beirut, Lebanon (AP) -- A human rights group
today accused Israel and its allies of
expelling hundreds of Lebanese from their
homes in an "often cruel manner'' and
called on Israel's new government to end the
practice.
The New York-based Human Rights Watch also
urged the United States and the European Union
to condemn the expulsions and press
Israel to let people return to their homes
in the Israel-occupied zone in south Lebanon.
The group said at least 46 Lebanese nationals
were expelled last year. According to
unofficial reports, some 50 Lebanese have
been expelled so far this year.
In Israel, an army spokesman refused
comment on the report.
The South Lebanon Army, the 2,500-member
militia armed and paid by Israel to help 1,500
Israeli soldiers patrol the border zone, also
withheld immediate comment.
Civilians have been expelled following
guerrilla attacks on Israeli and SLA forces
in what appeared to be collective punishment
of the local population, the report
said.
Israel and the SLA also have expelled Lebanese
citizens for alleged cooperation with the
guerrillas or with the Beirut government and
for refusal to work with the occupation
authorities or for being deemed a security threat.
Human Rights Watch said there is no exact
number on the people affected by the Israeli
measures. But it estimated "hundreds,
if not more'' have been expelled since 1985.
Israel has occupied a border zone in southern
Lebanon through its army or local Lebanese
allies since its limited invasion of
Lebanon in 1978. The current zone was
established in 1985 after Israeli forces
retreated from Beirut, central and eastern
Lebanon, areas occupied following an invasion
in 1982.
In addition to those expelled, Lebanon says
that 128 Lebanese people are incarcerated
in the SLA-run Khiam prison camp in the
occupied zone and 42 in prisons in Israel. Some
have been held for over 10 years on suspicion
of aiding guerrillas.
The Israelis and the SLA also have resorted
to razing houses of suspected guerrilla
sympathizers or structures suspected of
being used by guerrillas as staging
points for attacks.
Israel's policy has been that the occupied
zone was needed to protect its northern
border from guerrilla attack. The Israelis
and the SLA have met stiff resistance from
Hezbollah guerrillas, who target the
occupation forces with almost daily ambushes.
Hezbollah has pledged to attack northern
Israel in retaliation for civilian casualties
in Lebanon.
Israel's new prime minister, Ehud Barak,
echoing general sentiment in Israel
fueled by mounting casualties in Lebanon,
has said he wants to bring the troops home
within a year as part of an arrangement that
would guarantee security for northern
Israel. He also has said he wants to make
peace with Syria and Lebanon.
Reversing the expulsion policy "is a test''
for Barak, said Hanny Megally, executive
director of the group's Middle East and North
Africa division.
"If he succeeds, this will help in other
things,'' said Megally, a reference to Barak's
recent overtures to revive the Middle East
peace process.
(c) Copyright 1999 The Associated Press
