The   President   of   the  Republic   of   Lebaon
 

Dear Sir

I am writing this letter to you a few days after my son Noam was killed in Southern Lebanon by an explosive artifact put by the Hizbolla. I decided to take this action today, on the eve of our Independence Day and eight days after my son was killed, because I believe that I have the moral right to do it.

First, let me introduce myself. I am 58 years old. I arrived to Israel 41 years ago as a young dreamer, a deep believer in my Socialist and Zionist convictions. I was and still am convinced that the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral home can and will be a blessing not only for us, but for the whole area and world. Since I remember myself, I have worked for peace and understanding between Jews and Arabs.

My son Noam was brilliant youngster, about to finish his military service five days after he was killed. He never believed in the aims of the war in Southern Lebanon. His head was full with plans of traveling, studding, enjoying life. He went to the army, to the most dangerous and no blest of all military jobs, the neutralization of explosive artifacts. He was educated in the spirit that an army in democracy should follow what the legally elected government orders, and that you should voluntarily demand of yourself the utmost to serve society.

Noam went to his death wearing the button calling to "Leave Lebanon Peacefully" that his mother gave him before he left home to his last mission. We, his mother and father, believe that we should continue the struggle for peace. But we desperately need your formal declaration that you are committed to peace too. That if our army will withdrawal from Southern Lebanon, you and your army will be responsible for ensuring that terrorists will not attract our civil population along our northern frontier.
We urge you therefore openly to declare that loudly and clearly.

We know that the overwhelming majority of our people wants peace.
After President Saadat, King Hussein and Chairman Yasser Arafat chose the road of peace for their people, we know that peace is realistic option.

Please, stand up and speak.

Yours in profound grief and hope,

Aaron Barnea