An archived Israeli document, a letter that proposed military support for the Lebanese Christian resistance in 1976. It was authored that same year by Major Yair Ravitz (Ravid) Commander of the Northern Region. The document was received today by the LCCC editor from Mr.Yair Ravitz (Ravid) (Abu Daoud), who also translated it from Hebrew…The summary of the document appears in Yair Ravitz (Ravid) book “Window To The Backyard” on page 80.
October 02/2025
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Unit 504
Northern Region
Dated 1364/581/1364
12th Tevet 5774
12 January 1976
Commander of Unit 504,
A Document sent to me from
Subject:-Israeli Support for Lebanese Christians
Background
1. While the Muslims in Lebanon in general and the terrorist organizations operating in this country in particular receive an unlimited supply of weapons of all kinds, ammunition, military equipment, food and money from the various Arab countries, the Lebanese Christians stand alone in the campaign, with their sources of manpower limited and based solely on Lebanese citizens, while their sources of weapons and equipment are extremely limited and based mainly on arms dealers around the world, who charge them full price for their goods.
2. On the surface, it can be said that the war in Lebanon is an internal Lebanese conflict and Israel should not intervene significantly, However, this is not the case, as the results of the current conflict in Lebanon will have a far-reaching impact on Israel in the long term, and therefore Israel cannot take a passive position at this stage in everything that concerns this conflict.
3. It should be noted here that since the establishment of the state, Lebanese Christians have seen the State of Israel as a guarantee for the existence of an independent Lebanon with a Christian character. This assumption was based on the Christians’ view of the common interest between them and us in the existence of the only countries in the Middle East that are not controlled by Muslims. This assumption was reinforced by statements by Israeli leaders from different periods and in the context of various events.
4. Lebanon’s positive position towards Israel was expressed mainly in the wars that occurred over the years between Arab countries and Israel, in which Lebanon did not take any part, nor did it authorize foreign Arab forces to operate from its territory.
5. Below are a number of possible scenarios in my assessment for the development of the situation in Lebanon following the current conflict in the country. This is:
A. Continuation of warfare with short breaks until an “arrangement” is achieved, which will lead to a significant weakening of the standing of the Christians and their position in power in Lebanon, and at the same time a significant strengthening of the power and position of the Muslims and the left, which will gradually lead to the radicalization of Lebanon and its turning to the traditional Arab line in the Middle East, and will present a new state of conflict with Israel, in contrast to the line that Lebanon has taken to date
B. Achieving a complete decision by the Muslims and transferring all powers of government into their hands and into the hands of the left, which will lead to a radical change in Lebanon’s traditional approach to the issue of the conflict in the Middle East, as detailed in Section 5A above.
6. In contrast to the options described in the above “menus”, there is another option, the main one being massive fighting by the Christians and creating a situation in which the Muslims will come to the conclusion that they will not be able to achieve their goals in Lebanon by force of arms, and will be forced to resort to a compromise that will not undermine the continued rule of the Christians in Lebanon.
7. The option described in section 6 above is only conceivable if the Lebanese Christians receive significant assistance from Israel. In my opinion, this assistance should be expressed in the following ways:-
a. Warning the Syrians that any attempt by them to intervene militarily in Lebanon will encounter Israeli resistance {as has been done to date}
b. Supplying large quantities of weapons, ammunition and military equipment to the Lebanese Christians. This supply must be provided free of charge, and at a soonest possible date.
c. The delivery of weapons to the Christians must be conditioned on their striving to neutralize the unholy coalition of the Lebanese Muslims with the left and with The refusal organizations, by moving towards the Muslims and giving up a number of positions and jobs that will be acceptable to the Muslims on the one hand, and on the other hand will not undermine Christian control in the country.
Summary
8. In accordance with the proposal detailed above, Israel will have to invest a lot of money in arming the Christians in Lebanon, and this at a time when the country’s economic situation is at its lowest. On the other hand, it should be remembered that if we do not act in this way, we will have to invest much more in the not-so-distant future, and not only in money, but also in blood
Comments
9. Although the matters detailed above are not within my authority and role, I saw it as my duty to express my thoughts on the subject and bring them to your attention.
10. Even if you do not agree with the content of the above and the conclusions I have reached, I would appreciate it if you would take the trouble to forward the content to the head of the Military Intelligence.
Yair Ravitz – Major
Commander of the northern Region
NB: The above letter was originally written in Hebrew, and was translated to English by Mr. Yair Ravitz (Ravid) (Abu Daoud)
Rebecca Bynum/Review of Colonel Yair Ravid’s book, “Window to the Backyard” (The History of Israel-Lebanon Relations – Facts and Illusions)
