Israel’s ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter said Israel and Lebanon are “on the same side of the equation” following rare direct talks held in Washington, signaling a cautiously optimistic shift despite decades of hostility.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Leiter praised the Lebanese delegation for engaging in the discussions despite internal pressure from Hezbollah to avoid the talks.
“We discovered today that we’re on the same side of the equation. That’s the most positive thing we could have come away with,” he said.
Focus on Hezbollah and Iran Influence
Leiter framed the talks as a shared effort to counter Hezbollah, which he described as an Iran-backed force exerting influence in Lebanon.
“We are both united in liberating Lebanon from an occupation power dominated by Iran called Hezbollah,” he added.
He also stressed that Israel expects Lebanon to fully distance itself from Tehran, calling for a “complete” separation from Iran and its regional network.
Positive Tone Despite Longstanding Challenges
The talks, which lasted about two hours, brought together US, Israeli, and Lebanese officials in what has been described as one of the first direct engagements between the two sides in decades.
While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier characterized the meeting as part of a longer diplomatic process, Leiter struck a notably more upbeat tone, pointing to areas of emerging consensus.
Limits on the Ground
Despite the positive rhetoric, significant challenges remain. Neither Israel nor the Western-backed Lebanese army has been able to disarm Hezbollah, which continues to play a dominant military and political role in Lebanon.
Still, Leiter argued that shifting regional dynamics have created an opening.
“The Lebanese government made it very clear that they will no longer be occupied by Hezbollah and that Iran has been weakened; Hezbollah is dramatically weakened,” he said. “This is an opportunity.”
Fragile Opening
The remarks highlight a potentially significant, though fragile, diplomatic moment between two longtime adversaries.
Whether the apparent alignment translates into concrete steps on the ground remains uncertain, particularly given Hezbollah’s entrenched position and ongoing tensions along the Israel–Lebanon border.
