(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Col. (ret.) Dr. Jacques Neriah - This book discusses the character of Bachir Gemayel, the commander of the Christian militia and president of Lebanon for a brief moment, how he managed to establish a place for the Christians, the Christians' influence upon the Lebanese state, and their relationship with Israel. At the time of the First Lebanon War in 1982, some in Israel had the illusion that it was possible to elect a Maronite president in Beirut who had Israeli backing and would make peace with Israel. After IDF forces crossed into Lebanon on June 6, 1982, the illusion was shattered when it was discovered that Bachir refused to send his forces into combat alongside the IDF. Bachir Gemayel died in a bomb blast at Phalange party headquarters in Beirut on September 14, 1982. The writer, a special analyst at the Jerusalem Center, was formerly Deputy Head for Assessment of Israeli Military Intelligence.
2018-06-08 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive